diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/53764-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53764-0.txt | 6656 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 6656 deletions
diff --git a/old/53764-0.txt b/old/53764-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 42b0c1c..0000000 --- a/old/53764-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6656 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tower Menagerie, by Edward Turner Bennett - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Tower Menagerie - -Author: Edward Turner Bennett - -Release Date: December 18, 2016 [EBook #53764] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TOWER MENAGERIE *** - - - - -Produced by deaurider and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - -THE TOWER MENAGERIE. - - - - - THE - TOWER MENAGERIE: - - COMPRISING - THE NATURAL HISTORY - OF THE - ANIMALS CONTAINED IN THAT ESTABLISHMENT; - - WITH - Anecdotes of their Characters and History. - - ILLUSTRATED BY - PORTRAITS OF EACH, TAKEN FROM LIFE, BY WILLIAM HARVEY; - AND ENGRAVED ON WOOD BY BRANSTON AND WRIGHT. - - [Illustration] - - LONDON: - PRINTED FOR ROBERT JENNINGS, POULTRY; - AND SOLD BY W. F. WAKEMAN, DUBLIN. - M DCCC XXIX. - - CHISWICK: - PRINTED BY CHARLES WHITTINGHAM - COLLEGE HOUSE. - - - - - [Illustration] - - TO - HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY - KING GEORGE THE FOURTH, - THE - MUNIFICENT PATRON OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, - - This Volume, - - IN WHICH IT IS ATTEMPTED TO COMBINE BOTH ART AND SCIENCE - IN THE - ILLUSTRATION OF HIS ROYAL MENAGERIE, - - IS, - BY HIS MAJESTY’S MOST GRACIOUS PERMISSION, - HUMBLY INSCRIBED. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - INTRODUCTION ix - - BENGAL LION 1 - - LIONESS AND CUBS 11 - - CAPE LION 17 - - BARBARY LIONESS 24 - - TIGER 25 - - LEOPARD 35 - - JAGUAR 41 - - PUMA 49 - - OCELOT 53 - - CARACAL 57 - - CHETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPARD 61 - - STRIPED HYÆNA 71 - - HYÆNA-DOG 77 - - SPOTTED HYÆNA 81 - - AFRICAN BLOODHOUND 83 - - WOLF 89 - - CLOUDED BLACK WOLF 93 - - JACKAL 97 - - CIVET, OR MUSK CAT 99 - - JAVANESE CIVET 103 - - GRAY ICHNEUMON 105 - - PARADOXURUS 107 - - BROWN COATI 109 - - RACOON 111 - - AMERICAN BLACK BEAR 115 - - GRIZZLY BEAR 121 - - THIBET BEAR 129 - - BORNEAN BEAR 133 - - EGRET MONKEY? 144 - - COMMON MACAQUE 145 - - BONNETED MONKEY, VAR. 146 - - BONNETED MONKEY 147 - - PIG-FACED BABOON 148 - - BABOON 149 - - WHITE-HEADED MONGOOS 151 - - KANGUROO 155 - - PORCUPINE 161 - - ASIATIC ELEPHANT 163 - - ZEBRA OF THE PLAINS 177 - - LLAMA 181 - - RUSA-DEER 185 - - INDIAN ANTELOPE 191 - - AFRICAN SHEEP 197 - - GOLDEN EAGLE 201 - - GREAT SEA-EAGLE 202 - - BEARDED GRIFFIN 203 - - GRIFFON VULTURE 205 - - SECRETARY 209 - - VIRGINIAN HORNED OWL 213 - - DEEP-BLUE MACAW 215 - - BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW 217 - - YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOO 219 - - NEW HOLLAND EMEU 221 - - CRESTED CRANE 225 - - PELICAN 227 - - ALLIGATOR 231 - - INDIAN BOA 233 - - ANACONDA 237 - - RATTLESNAKE 239 - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -The origin of Menageries dates from the most remote antiquity. Their -existence may be traced even in the obscure traditions of the fabulous -ages, when the contests of the barbarian leader with his fellow-men were -relieved by exploits in the chase scarcely less adventurous, and when -the monster-queller was held in equal estimation with the warrior-chief. -The spoils of the chase were treasured up in common with the trophies -of the fight; and the captive brute occupied his station by the side -of the vanquished hero. It was soon discovered that the den and the -dungeon were not the only places in which this link of connexion might -be advantageously preserved, and the strength and ferocity of the forest -beast were found to be available as useful auxiliaries even in the -battle-field. The only difficulty to be surmounted in the application -of this new species of brute force to the rude conflicts of the times -consisted in giving to it the wished-for direction; and for this purpose -it was necessary that the animals to be so employed should be confined -in what may be considered as a kind of Menagerie, there to be rendered -subservient to the control, and obedient to the commands, of their -masters. - -In the theology too of these dark ages many animals occupied a -distinguished place, and were not only venerated in their own proper -persons, on account of their size, their power, their uncouth figure, -their resemblance to man, or their supposed qualities and influence, -but were also looked upon as sacred to one or other of the interminable -catalogue of divinities, to whose service they were devoted, and on -whose altars they were sacrificed. For these also Menageries must -have been constructed, in which not only their physical peculiarities -but even their moral qualities must have been to a certain extent -studied; although the passions and prejudices of the multitude would -naturally corrupt the sources of information thus opened to them, by the -intermixture of exaggerated perversions of ill observed facts and by the -addition of altogether imaginary fables. - -If to these two kinds of Menageries we add that which has every where -and under all circumstances accompanied the first dawn of civilization, -and which constitutes the distinguishing characteristic of man emerging -from a state of barbarism and entering upon a new and social state of -existence, the possession of flocks and herds, of animals useful in his -domestic economy, serviceable in the chase, and capable of sharing in his -daily toils, a tolerable idea may be formed of the collections which were -brought together in the earliest ages, and were more or less the subjects -of study to a race of men who were careless of every thing that had no -immediate bearing upon their feelings, their passions, or their interests. - -But as civilization advanced, and the progress of society favoured -the developement of mind, when those who were no longer compelled by -necessity to labour for their daily bread found leisure to look abroad -with expanded views upon the wonders of the creation, the animal -kingdom presented new attractions and awakened ideas which had before -lain dormant. What was at first a mere sentiment of curiosity became -speedily a love of science; known objects were examined with more minute -attention; and whatever was rare or novel was no longer regarded with a -stupid stare of astonishment and an exaggerated expression of wonder, but -became the object of careful investigation and philosophic meditation. -Such was the state of things in civilized Greece when the Macedonian -conqueror carried his victorious arms to the banks of the Indus, and -penetrated into countries, not altogether unknown to Europeans, but the -natural productions of which were almost entirely new to the philosophers -of the West. With the true spirit of a man of genius, whose sagacity -nothing could escape, and whose views of policy were as profound as -the success of his arms was splendid, Alexander omitted no opportunity -of proving his devotion to the cause of science; and the extensive -collections of rare and unknown animals which he transmitted to his old -tutor and friend, in other words the Menagerie which he formed, laid the -foundation of the greatest, the most extensive, and the most original -work on zoology that has ever been given to the world. The first of -moral philosophers did not disdain to become the historian of the brute -creation, and Aristotle’s History of Animals remains a splendid and -imperishable record of his qualifications for the task. - -Very different were the feelings by which the Roman generals and people -were swayed even in their most civilized times and at the height of their -unequalled power. Through all the gloss which history has thrown over -the character of these masters of the universe there appears a spirit -of unreclaimed barbarity which was never entirely shaken off. From the -scenes of their distant conquests their prætors sent to the metropolis -of the world bears and lions and leopards and tigers; but a love of -science had no share in the motives for the gratification of which they -were transmitted, and the chief curiosity manifested on such occasions by -the people of Rome was to ascertain how speedily hundreds or thousands, -as the case might happen, of these ferocious beasts would destroy each -other when turned out half-famished into the public amphitheatre, or -how long a band of African slaves, of condemned criminals, or of hired -gladiators, would be able to maintain the unequal contest against them. -The consul or emperor who exhibited at one time the greatest number of -animals to be thus tortured before the eyes of equally brutal spectators -was held in the highest esteem among a people who regarded themselves -as civilized, and whose chief delight was in witnessing these wanton -effusions of blood. It was only under the later Cæsars that a few private -individuals brought together in their _vivaria_ a considerable number of -rare and curious animals; and the Natural History of Pliny derives most -of its zoological value from the opportunities which he had of consulting -these collections. But the monstrous fables and the innumerable errors, -which the most superficial examination would have taught him to correct, -with which every page of this vast compilation absolutely teems, speak -volumes with regard to the wretched state of natural science in the most -splendid days of Roman greatness. - -From the unsuspecting credulity with which this textbook of the -naturalists of the middle ages continued to be received, it is evident -that the science remained stationary, if it did not actually retrograde, -during the lapse of fourteen or fifteen centuries. The want of -opportunities of investigation may be regarded as the principal cause -of this lamentable deficiency. Some of the rarer animals, it is true, -were occasionally to be seen in Europe; but Menageries constructed -upon a broad and comprehensive plan were as yet unknown. The first -establishment of modern days, in which such a plan can fairly be said to -have been realised, was the Menagerie founded at Versailles by Louis the -Fourteenth. It is to this institution that we owe the Natural History of -Buffon and his coadjutor Daubenton; the one as eloquent as Pliny, with -little of his credulity, but with a greater share of imagination; and the -other a worthy follower of Aristotle in his habits of minute research -and patient investigation, but making no pretensions to the powerful and -comprehensive mind and the admirable facility of generalising his ideas -which so preeminently distinguished that great philosopher. - -Of the characters of most of the institutions which we have noticed -the Tower Menagerie has at various times partaken in a greater or -less degree. Originally intended merely for the safe-keeping of those -ferocious beasts, which were until within the last century considered as -appertaining exclusively to the royal prerogative, it has occasionally -been converted into a theatre for their contests, and has terminated -by adapting itself to the present condition of society as a source of -rational amusement and a school of zoological science. - -The first notice of a Royal Menagerie in England places this -establishment at Woodstock, where King Henry the First had a collection -of lions, leopards, and other strange beasts. Three leopards were -presented to Henry the Third by the Emperor Frederic the Second, himself -a zoologist of no mean rank. From Woodstock they were transferred to the -Tower; and numerous orders issued in this and the succeeding reigns to -the sheriffs of London and of the counties of Bedford and Buckingham to -provide for the maintenance of the animals and their keepers are extant -among the Records. Thus in the year 1252 the sheriffs of London were -commanded to pay four pence a day for the maintenance of a white bear; -and in the following year to provide a muzzle and chain to hold the said -bear while fishing, or washing himself, in the river Thames. In 1255 they -were directed to build a house in the Tower for an elephant which had -been presented to the king by Louis king of France; and a second writ -occurs in which they were ordered to provide necessaries for him and his -keepers. - -From various orders during the reigns of Edward the First, Second, and -Third, we learn that the allowance for each lion or leopard was six pence -a day, and the wages of their keeper three halfpence. At later periods -the office of keeper of the lions was held by some person of quality -about the king, with a fee of six pence a day for himself, and the -same for every lion or leopard under his charge. On these terms it was -granted by King Henry the Sixth, first to Robert Mansfield, Esq. marshal -of his hall, and afterwards to Thomas Rookes, his dapifer. It was not -unfrequently held by the lieutenant or constable of the Tower himself, -on the condition of his providing a sufficient deputy. There was also -another office in the royal household somewhat resembling this in name, -that of master, guider, and ruler of the king’s bears and apes; but the -latter animals appear to have been kept solely for the royal “game and -pleasure.” - -During all this period, and even almost down to our own times, -the common phrase of “seeing the lions” in the Tower appears to -have been almost literally correct, for we seldom hear of any other -animals confined there than lions or leopards. Howel tells us in his -Londinopolis, published in 1657, that there were then six lions in the -Tower, and makes no allusion to any other animals as being at that time -contained in it. In 1708 some improvement had taken place; for there were -then, according to Strype, no fewer than eleven lions, two leopards or -tigers (the worthy historian, it seems, knew not which), three eagles, -two owls, two cats of the mountain, and a jackal. Maitland gives a much -longer catalogue as existing there in 1754; and this is still further -extended in a little pamphlet entitled “An Historical Description of the -Tower of London and its Curiosities,” published in 1774. After this time, -however, the collection had been so greatly diminished both in value and -extent, that in the year 1822, when Mr. Alfred Cops, the present keeper, -succeeded to the office, the whole stock of the Menagerie consisted of -the grizzly bear, an elephant, and one or two birds. How rapidly and how -extensively the collection has increased under his superintendence will -best be seen by a reference to the numerous and interesting animals whose -natural history forms the subject of the present work. By his spirited -and judicious exertions the empty dens have been filled, and new ones -have been constructed; and the whole of them being now kept constantly -tenanted, the Menagerie affords a really interesting and attractive -spectacle to the numerous visiters who are drawn thither either from -motives of curiosity or by a love of science. - -Such is a brief outline of the history up to the present period of the -establishment known as the Tower Menagerie. Of the animals contained -in it during the summer of 1828, and of two others which had then -recently died, the succeeding pages offer delineations, descriptions, -and anecdotes. Among so numerous a collection of inhabitants, of such -dissimilar habits, and brought together into one spot from such distant -and various climes, some changes have almost necessarily taken place -even while our work has been passing through the press; yet so excellent -is the management of Mr. Cops, especially as regards cleanliness, that -essential security of animal health, that not a single death has occurred -from disease, and one only from an accidental cause: the secretary bird, -having incautiously introduced its long neck into the den of the hyæna, -was deprived of it and of its head at one bite. Other removals are owing -to the spirit of commerce. The Cape lion, the chetahs, the Thibet bear, -and the deep-blue macaw, have passed into foreign hands, and are now on -the continent of Europe. Two of the wolves and one of the Javanese civets -have been transferred to the Zoological Society; and the white antelope -has also exchanged its habitation in the Tower for the delightful Garden -created by that Society in the Regent’s Park. - -With the exceptions which have just been enumerated the whole of the -animals which are here figured and described are actually living in the -Tower Menagerie. Their continuance there affords a test of the fidelity -of our work which could not be applied to any production on zoology that -has yet appeared in this country, nor, to an equal extent, in any other. -As a visit to the Menagerie will enable the reader at once to compare -our representations and descriptions with their living prototypes, the -imperative necessity of scrupulous accuracy has been deeply impressed -throughout the whole undertaking on the minds of those who have been -engaged in its completion. In this, it is trusted, they have fully -succeeded. To explain the share which each has taken in the work, and to -record a debt of gratitude to those kind friends who have assisted in it, -is the pleasing duty which it now remains to fulfil. - -The whole of the drawings are from the pencil of MR. WILLIAM HARVEY, who, -in seizing faithful and characteristic portraits of animals in restless -and almost incessant motion, has succeeded in overcoming difficulties -which can only be appreciated by those who have attempted similar -delineations. In the portraits he has strictly confined himself to the -chastity of truth; but in the vignettes, which have always some reference -to the subject of the article which they conclude, he has occasionally -held himself at liberty to give full scope to his imagination. - -The engravings have been executed throughout by MESSRS. BRANSTON and -WRIGHT. Determined on securing the accuracy of the representations, -they have in every instance compared the proofs with the animals, and -have made corrections where necessary until the resemblance has been -rendered perfect. In one case alone has a deviation from the original -been indulged in: the tail of the ocelot has been figured of the length -usual in the species, instead of the truncated state in which it exists -in the specimen; the markings of the animal are, however, as noticed in -its article, accurately represented. - -The literary department has been superintended by E. T. BENNETT, Esq. -F.L.S., an active member of the Zoological Society, who has arranged -for the press the whole of the materials collected from various and -authentic sources. To JOHN BAYLEY, Esq. F.R. and A.S. M.R.I.A. &c. he -is indebted for several suggestions in addition to the information -contained in that gentleman’s valuable work, “The History and Antiquities -of the Tower of London.” To MR. ALFRED COPS, the present KEEPER OF THE -LIONS, whose meritorious exertions for the increase and improvement of -the Menagerie have been already adverted to, he has also to tender his -thanks and those of his coadjutors for the facilities constantly afforded -to them in the most ready and obliging manner, and for much valuable -information relative to the history and habits of the animals. - -But especially are his best thanks due for numerous suggestions and -much valuable assistance to his friend N. A. VIGORS, Esq. A.M. F.R. and -L.S., the zealous and talented SECRETARY of the ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. To -that distinguished zoologist, whose extensive and intimate acquaintance -with the animal kingdom at large, and particularly with its feathered -tribes, is universally acknowledged, and to other leading Members of the -Society to which he devotes his talents and his time, a work like the -present appeared not ill adapted to advance the good cause in which they -are engaged, the diffusion of knowledge. Under their auspices it was -commenced, by their countenance it has been fostered, and it is with the -sanction of their approval that it is now submitted to the public eye. - -LONDON, Nov. 1828. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BENGAL LION. - -_FELIS LEO._ LINN.--Var. BENGALENSIS. - - -First in majesty as in might, the monarch of the brute creation asserts -an undisputed claim to occupy the foremost place in our delineation of -the inhabitants of this Royal Menagerie. Who is there to whom his stately -mien, his unequalled strength, his tremendous powers of destruction, -combined with the ideas generally entertained of his dauntless courage, -his grateful affection, and his merciful forbearance, are not familiar -“as household words?” When we speak of a Lion, we call up to our -imaginations the splendid picture of might unmingled with ferocity, -of courage undebased by guile, of dignity tempered with grace and -ennobled by generosity; in a word, of all that combination of brilliant -qualities, the imputation of which, by writers of all ages, has placed -him by universal consent above other beasts, and invested him with regal -attributes. - -Such, indeed, is the outline which we have been taught to frame to -ourselves of this noble animal; and beautifully has this imaginary -sketch, for such in a great measure it will be found on closer -examination, been filled up by the magic pencil of Buffon, who, in this, -as in too many other instances, suffered himself to be borne along by -the strong tide of popular opinion. Yielding to the current, instead of -boldly stemming it, he has added the weighty sanction of his authority -to those erroneous notions which were already consecrated by their -antiquity, and has produced a history of the Lion, which, however true -in its main facts, and however eloquent in its details, is, to say the -least, highly exaggerated and delusive in its colouring. The Lion of -Buffon is, in fact, the Lion of popular prejudice; it is not the Lion, -such as he appears to the calm observer, nor such as he is delineated in -the authentic accounts of those naturalists and travellers who have had -the best means of observing his habits, and recording the facts of which -they have been themselves eye witnesses. - -The Lion, like all the other cats (the genus to which, in a natural -arrangement, he obviously belongs) is armed in each jaw with six strong -and exceedingly sharp cutting-teeth, with two formidable canine, and -with six others, three on each side, occupying the places of the molar -or grinding-teeth, but terminating in sharp protuberances to assist in -the laceration of the animal food, which is the proper nutriment of his -tribe. Besides these, he has, on each side of the upper jaw, a small -tooth, or rather tubercle, placed immediately behind the rest. His tongue -is covered with innumerable rough and elevated papillæ, the points of -which are directed backwards: these also assist in comminuting his food, -and not unfrequently leave their traces on the hand which has been -offered him to lick. His claws, five in number on the fore feet, and four -on the hind, are of great length, extremely hard, and much curved; they -are retractile within a sheath enclosed in the skin which covers the -extremity of his paws; and as they are only exposed when he has occasion -to make use of them, they thus preserve the sharpness of their edge and -the acuteness of their point unimpaired. In all these particulars the -Lion essentially agrees with the rest of the cats; and it is these which -constitute what naturalists have termed their generic character; in other -words, they are the points of agreement which are common to the whole -group or genus, and form the most prominent and striking characteristics, -by which they may be at once connected together and separated from all -other animals. - -The Lion is distinguished from other cats by the uniformity of his -colour, which is pale tawny above, becoming somewhat lighter beneath, -and never, except in his young state, exhibiting the least appearance -of spots or stripes: by the long and flowing mane of the adult male, -which, originating nearly as far forward as the root of his nose, extends -backwards over his shoulders, and descends in graceful undulations on -each side of his neck and face; and by the tuft of long and blackish -hairs which terminates his powerful tail. These constitute what is termed -his specific character, or that which is peculiar to the species or -race; connecting the individuals together by marks common to them all, -and at the same time separating them from the other animals of the same -group or genus. - -In his moral and intellectual faculties, as well as in his external -and physical characters, the Lion exhibits a close agreement with the -strikingly distinct and well marked group to which he belongs, and of -which he is unquestionably the first in rank and importance: and perhaps -the most effectual means of guarding against the general prejudice, -which has delighted in exalting him at the expense of his fellow beasts, -will be found in the recollection that, both physically and morally, he -is neither more nor less than a cat, of immense size and corresponding -power it is true, but not on that account the less endowed with all the -guileful and vindictive passions of that faithless tribe. His courage is -proverbial: this, however, is not derived from any peculiar nobility of -soul, but arises from the blind confidence inspired by a consciousness -of his own superior powers, with which he is well aware that none of -the inferior animals can successfully compete. Placed in the midst of -arid deserts, where the fleet but timid antelope, and the cunning but -powerless monkey fall his easy and unresisting prey; or roaming through -the dense forests and scarcely penetrable jungles, where the elephant and -the buffalo find in their unwieldy bulk and massive strength no adequate -protection against the impetuous agility and fierce determination of -his attacks, he sways an almost undisputed sceptre, and stalks boldly -forth in fearless majesty. But change the scene, and view him in the -neighbourhood of populous towns, or even near the habitations of -uncultivated savages, and it will then be seen that he recognises his -master, and crouches to the power of a superior being. Here he no longer -shows himself openly in the proud consciousness of his native dignity, -but skulks in the deepest recesses of the forest, cautiously watches his -opportunities, and lies in treacherous ambush for the approach of his -unwary prey. It is this innate feeling of his incapacity openly to resist -the power of man, that renders him so docile in captivity, and gives him -that air of mild tranquillity, which, together with the dignified majesty -of his deportment, has unquestionably contributed not a little towards -the general impression of his amiable qualities. - -His forbearance and generosity, if the facts be carefully investigated, -will be found to resolve themselves into no more than this: that in -his wild state he destroys only to satiate his hunger or revenge, and -never, like the “gaunt wolves,” and “sullen tigers,” of whom the poet -has composed his train, in the wantonness of his power and the malignity -of his disposition; and that, when tamed, his hunger being satisfied and -his feelings being free from irritation, he suffers smaller animals to -remain in his den uninjured, is familiar with, and sometimes fond of, the -keeper by whom he is attended and fed, and will even, when under complete -control, submit to the caresses of strangers. - -But even this limited degree of amiability, which, in an animal of less -formidable powers, would be considered as indicating no peculiar mildness -of temper, is modified by the calls of hunger, by the feelings of -revenge, which he frequently cherishes for a considerable length of time, -and by various other circumstances which render it dangerous to approach -him unguardedly, even in his tamest and most domesticated state, without -previously ascertaining his immediate state of mind. On such occasions no -keeper possessed of common prudence would be rash enough to venture upon -confronting him: he knows too well that it is no boy’s play to - - … seek the Lion in his den, - And fright him there, and make him tremble there; - -for in this state of irritation, from whatever cause it may have arisen, -he gives free scope to his natural ferocity, unrestrained by that control -to which at other times he submits with meek and unresisting patience. - -Happily for mankind the range of this tremendous animal is limited to -the warmer climates of the earth; and even in these the extent of that -range is constantly becoming more and more confined by the spread of -human civilization, which, at the same time that it drives him to take -refuge at a distance from the haunts of men, contributes greatly to thin -his numbers and to diminish his power of annoyance. His true country -is Africa, in the vast and untrodden wilds of which, from the immense -deserts of the north to the trackless forests of the south, he reigns -supreme and uncontrolled. In the sandy deserts of Arabia, in some of -the wilder districts of Persia, and in the vast jungles of Hindostan, -he still maintains a precarious footing: but from the classic soil of -Greece, as well as from the whole of Asia Minor, both of which were once -exposed to his ravages, he has been utterly dislodged and extirpated. - -There is some variation in the different races of Lions from these -distant localities; but this is by no means of sufficient importance -to establish a distinction between them. The Asiatic Lion, of which we -are now treating, seldom attains a size equal to that of the full-grown -Southern African; its colour is a more uniform and paler yellow -throughout; and its mane is, in general, fuller and more complete, being -furnished moreover with a peculiar appendage in the long hairs, which, -commencing beneath the neck, occupy the whole of the middle line of the -body below. All these distinctions are, however, modified by age, and -vary in different individuals. Their habits are in essential particulars -the same: we shall therefore defer what we have farther to say on this -head until we come to speak of the Cape Lion, and proceed to the history -of the Asiatic individual now exhibiting in this Menagerie, a striking -likeness of which is given in the engraving at the head of the present -article. - -This fine animal, although called by the keepers “the Old Lion,” is, -in reality, little more than five years old; and that designation was -adopted only for the purpose of distinguishing him from the Cape Lion, -a comparatively modern resident of the Menagerie. His proper name, or -rather that by which he has been known ever since his arrival at the -Tower, is George. The following anecdotes relative to the mode of his -capture, and to his habits and demeanour in his captivity, are given on -the authority of Mr. Cops, who derived his information on the first point -from General Watson himself, and speaks to the rest from his personal -observation. - -It was in the commencement of the year 1823, when the General was on -service in Bengal, that being out one morning on horseback, armed with a -double-barrelled rifle, he was suddenly surprised by a large male Lion, -which bounded out upon him from the thick jungle at the distance of only -a few yards. He instantly fired, and, the shot taking complete effect, -the animal fell dead almost at his feet. No sooner was this formidable -foe thus disposed of than a second, equally terrible, made her appearance -in the person of the Lioness, whom the General also shot at and wounded -so dangerously that she retreated into the thicket. As her following -so immediately in the footsteps of her mate afforded strong grounds -for suspecting that their den could not be far distant, he determined -upon pursuing the adventure to the end, and traced her to her retreat, -where he completed the work of her destruction, by again discharging -the contents of one of the barrels of his rifle, which he had reloaded -for the purpose. In the den were found a beautiful pair of cubs, male -and female, supposed to be then not more than three days old. These the -General brought away with him, and succeeded by the assistance of a -goat, who was prevailed upon to act in the capacity of foster-mother to -the royal pair, in rearing them until they attained sufficient age and -strength to enable them to bear the voyage to England. On their arrival -in this country, in September, 1823, he presented them to his Majesty, -who commanded them to be placed in the Tower. The male of this pair is -the subject of the present, the female that of the succeeding article. - -The extreme youth of these Lions at the time of their capture, and the -constant control to which they had been accustomed from that early period -of their existence, rendered them peculiarly tame and docile, insomuch -that, for twelve months after their arrival, they were frequently -suffered to walk in the open yard among the visitors, who caressed them -and played with them with impunity. The Duke of Sussex, in particular, -was highly delighted with the unusual spectacle of a Lion and a Lioness -bounding about him at perfect liberty, and with all their natural grace -and agility. It must, however, be observed that they were not then fully -grown, and that it was afterwards thought necessary to place them under -greater restraint; but more with the view of guarding against possible -mischief, than in consequence of any positive symptoms of rebellion. Of -the change which has taken place in the character of the female, we shall -have occasion to speak hereafter: the male still continues perfectly -docile, and suffers himself to be treated with the greatest familiarity -by his keepers and those to whom he is accustomed. - -Like all the other carnivorous animals in the Menagerie, he is fed but -once in the twenty-four hours; and his meal usually consists of a piece -of beef, of eight or nine pounds weight, exclusive of bone. This he -seizes with avidity, tears it to pieces instantly with his claws, and -ravenously devours it; contrary to the usual custom of his fellow lions -in a state of nature, who are said generally to remain for a considerable -time after they have struck the fatal blow, before proceeding to glut -their appetite with the flesh and blood of their victim. This awful pause -of suspense may, however, under such circumstances, be attributable to -an instinctive desire completely to finish their work, or at least to -preclude the possibility of resistance, prior to removing from the body -of their prostrate prey the weapon with which his destruction has been -inflicted. - -It has been generally remarked, that lions in captivity have certain -constant and stated times for roaring: this observation is not, however, -strictly true with regard to those now in the Tower. It may nevertheless -be observed that in the summer time, especially when the atmospheric -temperature is considerable, they uniformly commence roaring about dawn, -one of them taking the lead, and the others joining in the concert in -succession; and Mr. Cops has frequently had occasion to remark that -whenever any one of them fails in accompanying the rest in their by no -means harmonious performance, the cessation from the customary roar is -an infallible symptom of actual or approaching illness. At no other time -is there that regularity in their roaring which has been so frequently -stated; although the chorus which has just been described is sometimes -repeated after feeding, and also when they have been left alone for any -length of time; hence it occurs particularly on Sundays, a day on which -they have no company except from the occasional visits of the keepers. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE LIONESS AND HER CUBS. - - -Strikingly distinguished at the first glance from her royal mate by -the absence of the flowing honours of the mane, which invest him with -an air of superior dignity and gravity, the Lioness is also remarkable -for her smaller size, her more slender and delicate make, and the -superior grace and agility of her movements. Her inferiority in muscular -strength to the Lion, and to him alone, is, however, fully compensated -by the greater liveliness of her disposition, the unrestrained ardour -of her passions, and the vigorous impetuosity of her motions, which all -contribute to render her an equally formidable opponent with her more -powerful, but less irritable, lord. They differ also in another obvious -characteristic, the habitual position and direction of their heads, that -of the Lion being almost uniformly elevated and thrown upwards with an -air of mingled frankness and hauteur, agreeing well with the popular -notions of his tranquil dignity of temper and deportment; while the -Lioness as constantly carries her head on a level with the line of her -back, thus giving to her otherwise expressive countenance a sullen and -downcast look, and evincing a nearer approach to the inferior races of -the feline tribe. This singular distinction appears to be in a great -measure dependent on the absence of the mane; for it is observed that the -young male cubs, until the period at which this badge of dignity begins -to make its appearance, that is to say until they are about twelve months -old, carry their heads in the same level position with the female. - -It cannot be doubted that the lighter and slenderer shape of the Lioness, -and her consequently greater activity, tend in an especial manner to -the formation of that more lively and sensitive character by which all -her actions are so strongly marked: but there is another cause, no less -powerful than these, which operates with peculiar force, in the vivid -excitability of her maternal feelings, which she cherishes with an ardour -almost unparalleled in the history of any other animal. From the moment -that she becomes a mother, the native ferocity of her disposition is -renovated as it were with tenfold vigour; she watches over her young with -that undefined dread of danger to their weak and defenceless state, and -that suspicious eagerness of alarm, which keep her in a constant state of -feverish excitation: and woe be to the wretched intruder, whether man or -beast, who should unwarily at such a time approach the precincts of her -sanctuary. Even in a state of captivity, and however completely she may -have been previously subjected to the control of her keeper, she loses -all respect for his commands, and abandons herself occasionally to the -most violent paroxysms of rage. - -Of this the individual Lioness now in the Tower affords a striking -example. We have already observed in our account of the Lion that, for -a considerable time after her arrival in England, she was so tame as to -be allowed frequently to roam at large about the open yard; and even -long after it had been judged expedient that this degree of liberty -should no longer be granted, her disposition was far from exciting any -particular fear in the minds of her keepers. As an instance of this, we -may mention that when, on one occasion about a year and a half ago, she -had been suffered through inadvertence to leave her den, and when she -was by no means in good temper, George Willoughway, the under keeper, -had the boldness, alone and armed only with a stick, to venture upon the -task of driving her back into her place of confinement; which he finally -accomplished, not however without strong symptoms of resistance on her -part, as she actually made three springs upon him, all of which he was -fortunate enough to avoid. - -But from the period when she gave birth to her Cubs a total alteration -has taken place in her temper and demeanour. She no longer suffers the -least familiarity even on the part of her keepers, but gives full scope -to the violence of her passions. Intent solely on providing for the -security of her young, she imagines that the object of every person -who approaches her den is to rob her of her treasures, over which she -watches with almost sleepless anxiety, exhibiting the truly beautiful but -appalling picture of maternal tenderness combined with savage ferocity, -each in their utmost intensity of force and colouring. - -The Cubs, which are three in number, two male and one female, were -whelped on the 20th of October, 1827, the day of the battle of Navarino; -and it is remarked by Mr. Cops, as a curious coincidence, that they are -the only Lions which have been whelped in the Tower since the year 1794, -rendered memorable by the great naval victory gained by Lord Howe over -the French fleet. They are universally considered to be the finest ever -bred in England, and are now in a most thriving condition. They have not, -however, yet reached the period when the shedding of the milk-teeth takes -place, a process which is perhaps more perilous to the brute creation -than that of dentition to the offspring of the human race, and appears -indeed to be attended with greater risks in proportion to the carnivorous -propensities of the respective species. To the Lion it has always proved, -at least in his state of captivity, a period of the greatest danger, very -few individuals of the numerous whelps which have been produced either -here or on the continent surviving its effects. Still there is good -reason to hope, from the peculiarly healthy appearance of the present -litter, that, by means of skilful management, the danger may be averted, -and that a pair at least of these noble animals, “born and bred in -England,” may in a few years rival their parents in size, in beauty, and -in majesty. - -The mother and her whelps are admirably represented in the spirited -group of portraits which heads the present article. The latter have all -the playfulness of kittens, and are fondled by their dam in a similar -manner to that in which the domestic cat caresses her young. While they -were small enough she carried them from place to place in her mouth, and -showed the greatest solicitude to keep them from the view of strangers; -and even now that they are grown too large for this mode of treatment, -she continues to pay the strictest attention to the cleanliness of their -persons, and licks their fur, as they tumble about her, with all the -matronly dignity and gravity of an accomplished nurse. - -The Cubs have hitherto exhibited very faint traces of the striped livery -which is generally characteristic of the Lion’s whelp; but it is highly -probable that when they lose their winter coat, this marking may become -more obvious, although, on account of their advancing age, it will never -show itself with that distinctness which has been observed in other -instances. It consists of a blackish band, extending along the centre -of the back, from the head almost to the extremity of the tail, and -branching off into numerous other bands of the same colour, which are -parallel to each other, and pass across the upper parts of the sides and -tail. The very young lion consequently bears no small resemblance to the -tiger; a circumstance which it is interesting to remark as one which -furnishes additional evidence of the close affinity of these formidable -animals. The colouring of its bands is, however, much less intense; and -in addition to these it possesses on the head and on the limbs numerous -irregular spots of a darker hue than the rest of the fur, which are never -found in the neighbouring species. On the limbs of the present Cubs these -spots and blotches are distinctly visible amidst the rough and half -shaggy coat which covers them, and which is not exchanged for the smooth -and sleek fur, with which they are subsequently invested, until they -approach their full growth. As they advance towards the adult age, which -takes place in the fifth or sixth year, the livery gradually disappears, -and is then usually entirely lost. The Lioness herself, however, still -retains some trifling vestiges of it. The Cubs are, as usual, destitute -of the longer hairs which form the tuft at the extremity of the tail of -the adult, which in them tapers to a black tip. Their voice is at present -perfectly similar to the mewing of a cat; and it is not until they reach -the age of eighteen months that it changes into that peculiar roar which -afterwards becomes so tremendous. At that age the mane has already -attained considerable developement. This appendage begins to make its -appearance in the males when they are ten or twelve months old, having at -first the shape of a slight frill or ruff, but gradually becoming more -and more extensive, and at length assuming that striking form which gives -to the full grown animal a graceful and dignified, and to the more aged a -reverend and majestic, air. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE CAPE LION. - -_FELIS LEO._--Var. CAPENSIS. - - -Africa, as we have already observed, is truly the native country of -the Lion; and in no part of that vast continent, we may add, does he -attain greater size, or exhibit all his characteristic features in -fuller and more complete developement, than in the immediate vicinity -of the settlements which have been formed in the interior of its -southern extremity by the Dutch and English colonists of the Cape. In -speaking of the Bengal Lion, we have also pointed out the more striking -characteristics by which the Asiatic race is distinguished from that of -Southern Africa; consisting principally in the larger size, the more -regular and graceful form, the generally darker colour, and the less -extensive mane of the African. It remains, however, to be mentioned -that, even in this latter race, there are two varieties, which have -been long known to the settlers under the names of the Pale and the -Black Lion, distinguished, as their appellations imply, by the lighter -or darker colour of their coats, and more particularly of their manes. -This variation, there can be little doubt, is entirely produced by the -different character of the districts which they inhabit, and of the food -which they are enabled to procure. The black Lion, as he is termed, is -the larger and the more ferocious of the two, more frequently attacking -man himself, if less noble prey should fail him; and sometimes measuring -the enormous distance of eight feet from the tip of the nose to the -origin of the tail, which is generally about half the length of the body. -He is, however, of less frequent occurrence than the pale variety. - -It is in the night-time more particularly that the Lion prowls abroad in -search of his prey, the conformation of his eyes not only, like those of -the cat, allowing him to see with a very moderate degree of light, but -even rendering the full glare of day distressing and intolerable to him. -It is for this reason that travellers, who are compelled to sleep in the -open air in countries infested by these animals, are careful to keep -up a blazing fire, which the tenderness of their eyes deters them from -approaching, unless when they are extremely hard pressed by the calls -of hunger. These, it would appear, sometimes become paramount to every -other consideration, and urge the Lion, as they do many more ignoble -beasts, into the exhibition of a degree of courage, which, in despite -of all that has been said on the subject, is by no means his natural -characteristic. - -“At the time,” says Mr. Burchell, in his admirable Travels in Southern -Africa, “when men first adopted the Lion as the emblem of courage, it -would seem that they regarded great size and strength as indicating -it; but they were greatly mistaken in the character they had given of -this indolent skulking animal.” That an animal which seldom attacks -by open force, but, stealing along with cautious and noiseless tread, -silently approaches his victim, conceals himself in treacherous ambush, -and at length, when he imagines his prey to be fairly within his reach, -bounds forth upon him with an overwhelming leap, crushes him beneath the -tremendous weight of his irresistible paw, tears him piece-meal with -his talons, and, after having surfeited on his horrid meal, returns -into the depths of his solitary concealment to sleep away the hours -until his satiated appetite shall be again renewed, and his craving -maw stimulate him to fresh exertion,--that such an animal should ever -have been regarded as the type of courage and the emblem of magnanimity -would indeed be most astonishing, were it not that men have in all ages -been too prone to flatter superior power, and to offer at the shrine of -greatness that homage which is due only to the good. - -True it is that on some occasions the Lion has been known, in the -capriciousness of his disposition, to suffer his prostrate prey to -escape but little injured from his clutch; but these instances are -of rare occurrence, and may safely be referred either to his natural -indolence, when excited neither by hunger nor by provocation, or to that -intellectual debasement which among brutes is the usual concomitant -of increased bulk and formidable strength. But to conclude from such -whims and freaks, unaccountable as they may sometimes appear, that he is -actuated by feelings of mercy, or by the natural impulse of a generous -mind, would be about as reasonable as it would be to assume from the -instances which are recorded of the justice and generosity of a Tamerlane -or a Tippoo, that those monsters of sanguinary cruelty were in reality -the mildest and most merciful of despots. - -We have said that the Lion generally chooses the night for his -excursions; and this is in fact the only time at which he ventures to -approach the habitations of man, from which he will frequently carry -off horses or oxen, apparently with the greatest ease, and almost -without seeming to be incumbered by his burthen. Beyond the precincts of -European civilization, and out of the reach of the dreaded rifle, he will -sometimes penetrate into the very hut of the Bushman, and prey upon its -human inhabitants. It is even stated, and on very respectable authority, -that in some of the most distant kraals, or villages, those wretched -people purposely expose the old and the infirm among them in such -situations as they consider most open to attack, as the Lion’s share, in -the expectation that he will instinctively seize upon those who are first -thrown in his way. When, however, the Lion finds his appetite thus easily -satiated, it is said that he is sure to return night after night to the -kraal for a fresh victim; until the miserable remnant of its inhabitants -at length find it absolutely necessary to quit the ground, and to seek a -precarious safety in flight. - -In the daytime, when pressed by hunger, the Lion takes his secret stand -among the reeds and long grass in the neighbourhood of springs and -rivers, and watches with unwearied patience for such animals as may, for -the purpose of quenching their thirst, pass sufficiently near him to -ensure the success of his attack. This is generally made in one enormous -bound of fifteen, twenty, or even, it is said, thirty feet, and with a -force capable of bearing to the ground and completely disabling the most -formidable opponent. At times, however, he will pursue his prey somewhat -more openly, and by quickly repeated springs; but this is an exertion -which he is unable to continue for any considerable length of time, and -which, consequently, any animal of moderate fleetness, that has fairly -got the start of him, is certain to outstrip. Of this the Lion appears to -be fully aware; for, if not successful in the commencement of the chase, -he generally relinquishes it at once, and retires gradually, and step by -step, to his place of ambush, to watch for a better opportunity and a -more certain prey. - -It is rarely that the Lion of the Cape district ventures to attack a man, -unless provoked, or impelled by urgent hunger. The colonists, however, -who are very great sufferers (especially in their horses, for whose flesh -he seems to have a peculiar taste) by his frequent visits, are his most -determined and deadly foes, and omit no opportunity of wreaking their -vengeance upon him for the injuries which he has inflicted upon their -property. The frontier boors in particular, who are more exposed to -his ravages, and who, being well trained to hunting, are most of them -excellent marksmen, appear to take a peculiar pleasure in attacking -the Lion, even when they meet him almost singly. They, however, more -frequently make up parties for the chase, which is unquestionably -attended with no little danger, even when the huntsmen are numerous and -experienced; for although the Lion on such occasions almost always takes -to his heels, and endeavours to make his escape without confronting his -pursuers; yet, when he finds that flight is in vain, he turns upon them -with a fierceness and determination that nothing could withstand, were it -not for the well proved superiority possessed by them in the formidable -rifle, which, on such an emergency, they know how to direct with a steady -and almost unerring aim. - -The Cape Lion is seldom taken alive; his utter destruction and -extermination forming the primary object of his pursuers. Occasionally, -however, when a Lioness has been shot, and the hunters have been -fortunate enough to trace out her den, the cubs are brought away, and -in some measure domesticated, at least for a season, and until they -acquire sufficient force to become dangerous. Up to this period some of -the colonists will even suffer them to remain almost at large in their -dwellings; but they have frequently occasion to rue the mercy they have -shown, and are at length compelled, by the unequivocal manifestations of -that ferocity which never fails to make its appearance when the animals -have attained a certain age, to destroy the creatures whom they have -nourished and caressed. - -Two male individuals of this breed are now exhibiting at the Tower: the -one whose portrait illustrates the present article, and who, although -scarcely more than two years and a half old, already rivals his adult -Asiatic neighbour in size and majesty, while he exceeds him in grace and -agility; and a second, of about ten months old, apparently belonging to -the pale variety, and who is just beginning to exhibit the first faint -outline of the mane. The former of these is remarkably beautiful and -docile: he became an inmate of the Tower in May, 1827; and was, during -his voyage from the Cape, being then very young, so tame and domesticated -as to be allowed to run about the deck like a dog. - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BARBARY LIONESS. - -_FELIS LEO._--Var. NUMIDA. - - -In the male of this variety, which has been more frequently brought to -Europe than any other, the mane attains as much developement and covers -the under parts of the body as extensively as in the Lion of Eastern -Asia, whom, however, at the adult age, he exceeds considerably in size. -The Lioness has little to distinguish her from the other breeds. - -The specimen now in the Menagerie is a young female about three years -and a half old. She was a present to his Majesty from the Emperor of -Morocco. During some tempestuous weather, which occurred on her passage, -the male who accompanied her was killed, and she herself met with an -accident, from the falling of a spar, by which she was curtailed of her -fair proportions, and deprived of the greater part of her tail. The -disfigurement thus caused is, however, trifling, and she is still a very -fine animal. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE TIGER. - -_FELIS TIGRIS._ LINN. - - -Closely allied to the Lion, whom he resembles in size, in power, in -external form, in internal structure, in zoological characters, in his -prowling habits, and in his sanguinary propensities, the Tiger is at -once distinguished from that king of beasts, and from every other of -their common genus, by the peculiar marking of his coat. On a ground -which exhibits in different individuals various shades of yellow, he is -elegantly striped by a series of transverse black bands or bars, which -occupy the sides of his head, neck, and body, and are continued upon his -tail in the form of rings, the last of the series uniformly occupying the -extremity of that organ, and giving to it a black tip of greater or less -extent. The under parts of his body and the inner sides of his legs are -almost entirely white; he has no mane; and his whole frame, though less -elevated than that of the Lion, is of a slenderer and more graceful make. -His head is also shorter and more rounded. - -Almost in the same degree that the Lion has been exalted and magnified, -at the expense of his fellow brutes, has the Tiger been degraded and -depressed below his just and natural level. While the one has been held -up to admiration, as the type and standard of heroic perfection, the -other has, with equal capriciousness of judgment and disregard of the -close and intimate relationship subsisting between them, been looked -upon by mankind in general with those feelings of unmingled horror and -detestation which his character for untameable ferocity and insatiable -thirst of blood was so well calculated to inspire. It requires, however, -but little consideration to teach us that the broad distinction, which -has thus been drawn, cannot by possibility exist; and the recorded -observations of naturalists and travellers, both at home and abroad, -will be found amply sufficient to prove that the difference in their -characters and habits, on which so much stress has been laid, is in -reality as slight and unessential as that which exists in their corporeal -structure. - -Unquestionably the Tiger has not the majesty of the Lion; for he is -destitute of the mane, in which that majesty chiefly resides. Neither -has he the same calm and dignified air of imperturbable gravity which -is at once so striking and so prepossessing in the aspect of the Lion. -But, on the other hand, it will readily be granted, that in the superior -lightness of his frame, which allows his natural agility its free and -unrestricted scope, and in the graceful ease and spirited activity of his -motions, to say nothing of the beauty, the regularity, and the vividness -of his colouring, he far excels his competitor, whose giant bulk and -comparative heaviness of person, added to the dull uniformity of his -colour, detract in no small degree from the impression produced by his -noble and majestic bearing. - -In comparing the moral qualities of these two formidable animals, we -shall also find that the shades of difference, for at most they are but -shades, which distinguish them, are, like their external characteristics, -pretty equally balanced in favour of each. In all the leading features of -their character, the habits of both are essentially the same. The Tiger, -equally with the Lion, and in common indeed with the whole of the group -to which he belongs, reposes indolently in the security of his den, until -the calls of appetite stimulate him to look abroad for food. He then -chooses a convenient ambush, in which to lie concealed from observation, -generally amid the underwood of the forest, but sometimes even on the -branches of a tree, which he climbs with all the agility of a cat. In -this secret covert he awaits with patient watchfulness the approach of -his prey, upon which he darts forth with an irresistible bound, and bears -it off in triumph to his den. Unlike the Lion, however, if his first -attack proves unsuccessful, and he misses his aim, he does not usually -slink sullenly back into his retreat, but pursues his victim with a speed -and activity which is seldom baffled even by the fleetest animals. - -It is only when this close and covert mode of attack has failed in -procuring him the necessary supply, that, urged by those inward cravings, -which are the ruling impulse of all his actions, he prowls abroad under -the veil of night, and ventures to approach the dwellings of man, of whom -he does not appear to feel that instinctive awe which the Lion has been -known so frequently to evince. But even on such occasions, and although -impelled by the strong stimulus of famine, he is in general far from -unmindful of his own security; but creeps slowly along his silent path -with all the stealthy caution so characteristic of the feline tribe. -Occasionally, however, when the pangs of hunger have become intolerable, -and can no longer be controlled even by the overpowering sway of -instinct, he will boldly advance upon man himself in the open face of -day, and brave every danger in the pursuit of that object which, to the -exclusion of every other sentiment, appears under such circumstances -wholly to engross his faculties. - -It is evident then that in the general outline of his habits, and even -in most of the separate traits by which his character is marked, he -differs but little from the Lion. His courage, if brute force stimulated -by sensual appetite can deserve that honourable name, is at least -equal; and as for magnanimity and generosity, the idea of attributing -such noble qualities to either is in itself so absurd, and is so fully -refuted by every particular of their authentic history, that it would -be perfectly ridiculous to attempt a comparison where no materials for -comparison exist. It may, however, be observed that in one point the -disposition of the Tiger appears to be more cruel than that of the Lion; -inasmuch as it is related, that he is not at all times satisfied with -a single victim, but deals forth wholesale destruction, without mercy -and without distinction, upon whatever may chance to be within the reach -of his murderous talons. This, however, is by no means his constant or -usual practice; his instinct being in general sufficient to teach him -that his purpose is as effectually answered by one fatal bound as by the -most extensive devastation; for neither he, nor any of the more powerful -of his tribe, return to their prey after the first meal, but leave its -mangled relics for the ignoble beasts which follow in their train. - -To what cause then, if the similarity between these two animals be so -great, and the points of distinction between them so trifling, can we -attribute the very different impressions which we have all received, and -in all probability continue to cherish, with regard to their respective -characters? Perhaps something like a plausible answer to this question -may be found in the fact, that our notions of the Lion have been formed -on the striking and exaggerated pictures of his noble qualities, for -which we are indebted to the poets of antiquity, who contemplated him -only in his captive and almost domesticated state; while our early ideas -of the Tiger were derived in a great measure from the equally exaggerated -statements of miserable and pusillanimous Hindoos, the spiritless and -unresisting victims of every species of oppression, who regarded him with -almost unspeakable horror as the merciless tyrant of their forests,--a -tyrant whose ferocious temper and sanguinary ravages were equalled -only by those of the human despots, to whom, as well as to their brute -oppressors, they paid the base tribute of servile minds, in the fearful -dread and crouching awe with which they prostrated themselves at the feet -of both. - -Nothing in fact can exceed the terror which this formidable animal -inspires in those countries which are liable to his devastations. More -restricted, however, in this respect than the Lion, he is entirely -unknown in Africa, and is rarely, if ever, to be met with in Asia on this -side the Indus. In the south of China, and in the larger Asiatic Islands, -such as Sumatra and Java, he is unhappily but too common; but it is -said, we know not with what degree of truth, that in the last mentioned -locality he is less ferocious than in the Peninsula of Hindostan. This is -truly the cradle of his existence and the seat of his empire, in which -he disputes dominion even with the Lion himself, who is comparatively -rare in the Indian jungles, and with whom the Tiger has been sometimes -known to join in deadly and successful struggle for the mastery. Endowed -with a degree of force, which the Lion and the Elephant alone can -equal, he carries off a buffalo in his tremendous jaws, almost without -relaxing from his usual speed. With a single stroke of his claws he rips -open the body of the largest animals; and is said to suck their blood -with insatiable avidity. Of the correctness of this latter statement, -at least in its full extent, there is however strong reason to doubt. -The Tiger does not, according to the most credible accounts, exhibit -this propensity to drinking the blood of his victims in any greater -degree than the rest of his carnivorous and blood-thirsty companions. -In this, as in other instances, fear has drawn largely on credulity, -and the simple and sufficiently disgusting fact has been amplified and -exaggerated with all the refinements upon horror which the terrified -imagination could suggest. - -In making these observations it is far from our intention to become the -apologists of this ferocious beast: our object is simply to place him in -the rank which he deserves to hold, on a level with those animals with -whom Nature has decreed that he should be associated no less in character -than in form. In his wild and unrestricted state, he is unquestionably -one of the most terrible of the living scourges, to whose fatal ravages -the lower animals, and even man himself, are exposed. But in captivity, -and especially if domesticated while young, his temper is equally pliant, -his disposition equally docile, and his manners and character equally -susceptible of amelioration, with those of any other animal of his class. -All the stories that have been so frequently reiterated, until they -have at length passed current without examination as accredited truths, -of his intractable disposition and insensibility to the kind treatment -of his keepers, towards whom it is alleged that he never exhibits the -slightest feelings of gratitude, have been proved by repeated experience -to be utterly false and groundless. He is tamed with as much facility, -and as completely, as the Lion; and soon becomes familiarised with those -who feed him, whom he learns to distinguish from others, and by whom he -is fond of being noticed and caressed. Like the cat, which he resembles -so closely in all his actions, he arches his broad and powerful back -beneath the hand that caresses him; he licks his fur and smooths himself -with his paws; and purrs in the same mild and expressive manner when he -is particularly pleased. He remains perfectly quiet and undisturbed, -unless when hungry or irritated, and passes the greater part of his time -in listless repose. His roar is nearly similar to that of the Lion, and, -like his, is by no means to be regarded as a symptom of anger, which he -announces by a short and shrill cry, approaching to a scream. - -Two of these noble animals, the one male and the other female, are -among the most striking and attractive ornaments of the Menagerie. -The beautiful male, of which our figure offers a characteristic -likeness, is a very recent importation, having arrived in England in -the month of April of the present year, in the East India Company’s -ship Buckinghamshire, to the commander of which, Captain Glasspool, we -are indebted for the following particulars relative to his birthplace, -capture, early life, and education. He was taken prisoner in company -with two other cubs, supposed to be not more than three weeks old, on -that part of the coast of the peninsula of Malacca which is opposite to -the island of Penang, and is commonly known by the name of the Queda -Coast. In our present imperfect acquaintance with this part of the -farther peninsula of Hindoostan, it affords perhaps but little ground -for surprise that none of these terrible animals should have previously -reached this quarter of the globe from a locality so seldom visited by -European vessels. Their existence in its extensive jungles and marshy -plains has long, however, been notorious; and to judge from the specimen -now before us, which, although barely two years old, already exceeds in -size the full-grown Asiatic Lion which occupies the neighbouring den, -they must in that situation be at least as formidable as their fellows of -the hither peninsula. The dam of this individual had, it appears, made -a nocturnal incursion into one of the towns of the district, from which -she had carried off a large quantity of provisions. She was pursued and -killed, and her three cubs were taken possession of by the conquerors -in token of their victory and brought home in triumph. One of them, -a female, died shortly after; the second, a male, is still living in -the possession of a resident at Penang; and the third, the subject of -the present article, also fell into the hands of a gentleman of that -settlement, in whose paddock he was confined, in company with a pony -and a dog, for upwards of twelve months, without evincing the least -inclination to injure his companions or any one who approached him. By -this gentleman he was presented to Captain Glasspool, who brought him to -England: on the voyage he was remarkably tame, allowing the sailors to -play with him, and appearing to take much pleasure in their caresses. -On being placed in his present den he was rather sulky for a few days; -but seems now to have recovered his good temper, and to be perfectly -reconciled to his situation. The mildness of his temper may probably -be in a great measure due to his having from a very early age been -accustomed to boiled food; raw flesh never having been offered to him -until after his arrival in the Menagerie. This change of food he seems -particularly to enjoy, although he has by no means lost his appetite for -soup, which he devours with much eagerness. Notwithstanding his immature -age, Mr. Cops considers him the largest Tiger that he ever saw. - -The other individual at present in the Tower is a Tigress of great beauty -from Bengal, scarcely a twelvemonth old, who also promises to become an -exceedingly fine animal. During her passage from Calcutta she was allowed -to range about the vessel unrestricted, became perfectly familiar with -the sailors, and showed not the slightest symptom of ferocity. On her -arrival, however, in the Thames, the irritation produced by the sight -of strangers completely and instantly changed her temper, rendering her -irascible and dangerous. Her deportment was so sulky and savage that Mr. -Cops could scarcely be prevailed on by her former keeper, who saw her -shortly afterwards, to allow him to enter her den: but no sooner did -she recognise her old friend, than she fawned upon him, licked him, and -caressed him, exhibiting the most extravagant signs of pleasure; and when -he left her she cried and whined for the remainder of the day. To her new -residence and her new keeper she is now perfectly reconciled. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE LEOPARD. - -_FELIS LEOPARDUS._ LINN. - - -The race of this wily and sanguinary animal, which is unsurpassed in all -the terrible characteristics of its tribe, and yields to the tremendous -and ferocious beasts, to the illustration of whose habits and manners our -previous pages have been devoted, in none of their dreaded attributes, -excepting only in size and strength, is spread almost as extensively -over the surface of the Old World as that of the Lion himself. From the -shores of the Mediterranean to the immediate neighbourhood of the Cape -he is familiar to every part of the monster-bearing continent of Africa; -while in the east of Asia his fatal spring and murderous talons are -equally known and dreaded by the mild and timid Hindoos, the polite but -still barbarous Chinese, and the fierce and savage Islanders of the great -Sumatran chain. Throughout this immense tract of country he varies but in -a trifling degree, and that merely in his comparative magnitude, in the -size, shape, and disposition of his markings, and in the greater or less -intensity of his colouring: in the more essential particulars of form and -structure, as well as in character and disposition, he is every where the -same. - -It has already been mentioned that the Leopard is smaller than the Tiger; -indeed he seldom exceeds from three to four feet from the tip of the nose -to the root of the tail, which latter is somewhat shorter than the body. -Perhaps the largest authentic measurement is that of an animal, spoken of -under the designation of Panther, but in all probability truly a Leopard, -which was killed by Colonel Denham’s party in the course of that zealous -and successful traveller’s late expedition, and which is stated at eight -feet two inches from the muzzle to the extremity of the tail. This savage -creature, although twice impaled by the lances of his pursuers which -he had snapped asunder in his rage, was still on the point of making a -spring upon the foremost of the party, when a musket ball through the -head completely deprived him of that vitality which his previous wounds, -dangerous and fatal as they undoubtedly were, had not even appeared to -diminish in any sensible degree. - -The ground colour of the fur of the Leopard, which is eminently and -beautifully sleek, is a yellowish fawn above, which becomes paler on the -sides, and is entirely lost in the pure white of the under part of the -body. The top of the back, the head, neck, limbs, and under surface of -the body, are irregularly covered with larger or smaller, roundish or -oval, perfectly black spots; while the whole of the sides of the animal -and a portion of his tail are occupied by numerous distinct roses, formed -by the near approach of three or four elongated small black spots, -which surround a central area, about an inch or an inch and a quarter -in breadth, of a somewhat deeper colour than the ground on which it is -placed. There are some black lines on the lips, and bands of the same -colour on the inside of the legs; two or three imperfect black circles, -alternating with white, also occur towards the extremity of the tail, -which is entirely white beneath. - -It would be superfluous to enter into any detail of his habits, which -correspond but too well with those of his fellow cats already described, -and are only modified by his want of equal power. This deficiency is, -however, in a great measure supplied by the extreme pliability of his -spine, which gives to his motions a degree of velocity, agility, and -precision combined, that is altogether unequalled by any other quadruped, -and to which the greater lateral compression of his body, the increased -length and more slender proportions of his limbs, and the suppleness of -all his joints must of necessity materially contribute. Equally savage, -equally dastardly, and equally cruel, he closely imitates the manners -of the Lion and the Tiger, on a somewhat reduced, but still formidable, -scale. Antilopes, monkeys, and the smaller quadrupeds constitute his -usual prey, upon which he darts forth from his secret stand, and which -he pertinaciously pursues even upon the trees where they may have taken -refuge, climbing after them with surprising agility. Man he generally -endeavours, if possible, to avoid; but, when hard pressed, he fears not -to make head against the hunter; and it frequently requires the exertion -of no common share of skill and intrepidity in the latter to save -himself from the deadly fangs of the infuriated object of his pursuit. -Occasionally, indeed, the cravings of hunger stimulate the treacherous -animal to attack the unwary woodcutter, or the lone traveller whose path -has led to his secret haunts; but in this case he rarely, if ever, shows -himself openly in the face of day, but watches with insidious glare for -the fatal opportunity of springing upon his wretched victim from behind, -and of annihilating his power of resistance before it could possibly be -exerted in his defence. - -In captivity, however, especially if taken while yet young, his character -frequently undergoes a change as favourable as that which takes place -under the same circumstances in the generality of his tribe. The pair at -present in the Tower are male and female; they are both Asiatic, and are -confined in the same den, but they differ very materially in temper and -disposition. The female, which is the older of the two, and has been a -resident in the Menagerie for upwards of four years, is exceedingly tame, -suffering herself to be patted and caressed by the keeper, and licking -his hands. Strangers, however, especially ladies, should be cautious of -approaching her too familiarly, as she has always evinced a particular -predilection for the destruction of umbrellas, parasols, muffs, hats, -and such other articles of dress as may happen to come within her reach, -seizing them with the greatest quickness and tearing them into pieces -almost before the astonished visiter has become aware of the loss. To -so great an extent has she carried this peculiar taste that Mr. Cops -declares that he has no doubt that during her residence in the Tower she -has made prey of at least as many of these articles as there are days in -the year. The agility with which she bounds round her cell, which is of -considerable size, touching at one leap, and almost with the velocity of -thought, each of its four walls, and skimming along the ceiling with the -same rapidity of action, which is scarcely to be followed by the eye, -is truly wonderful, and speaks more forcibly of the muscular power and -flexibility of limb by which such extraordinary motions are executed than -language can express. - -The male, on the contrary, although he has been more than twelve months -an inmate of the Tower, is still as sullen and as savage as on the day of -his arrival. Notwithstanding the kind treatment which has been lavished -upon him by the keepers, he yet refuses to become familiarised with them, -and receives all their overtures at a nearer acquaintance with such sulky -and even angry symptoms as plainly evince that it would be dangerous to -tamper with his unreclaimed and unmanageable disposition. He is, as is -usual in all these animals, larger than the female, and much richer and -more beautiful in the style of his marking and depth of his colouring. -The two animals, however, although differing so greatly in temper, agree -together tolerably well, excepting only at meal times, when their usual -harmony is in some measure broken in upon by the jealousy with which they -regard each other’s share of the repast. - -Their food consists of about five pounds of beef per day for each: this -the keeper generally tosses up in front of their den, at the distance -of nearly two feet from the bars, and to the height of six or eight -feet from the floor. The animals, who are on the alert for their dinner, -immediately leap towards the bars, and, darting out their paws with -incredible swiftness, almost uniformly succeed in seizing it before it -falls to the ground. If, as it sometimes happens, the meat is thrown -up at too great a distance, so as not to be fairly within reach, they -remain perfectly stationary and make no attempt to spring upon it, but -watch it with anxious avidity, apparently calculating and comparing the -distance of the object and the extent of their own grasp. When they -have, in this way, secured their meal, instead of ravenously falling -to, like the other carnivorous animals in the collection, they stand -growling over it for some minutes, leering upon each other with the most -frightful contortions. This growling attitude of mistrust in feeding was -constantly maintained by the female, even before she had a companion in -her captivity, and when consequently there existed no immediate object -for the excitement of her selfish or envious feelings. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE JAGUAR. - -_FELIS ONCA._ LINN. - - -It can scarcely fail to have been remarked by those who have perused -the preceding pages with moderate attention that the species of cats -described in them, including the largest and most formidable of the whole -genus, are exclusively natives of the Old World, and confined to the hot -and burning climates of Southern Asia and of Africa. A second and more -numerous class, of which, however, no example exists at present in the -Tower Menagerie, and which, consequently, it does not fall within our -province to illustrate, occupy the colder and northern regions of both -hemispheres. These belong principally to the same subdivision with the -Lynx (being, like him, distinguished by the pencils of long hairs which -surmount their ears), and to that which comprehends the domestic cat; and -are all of diminutive size and trifling power when compared with those -monstrous productions of the torrid zone, the Lion, the Tiger, and the -Leopard. The reader is not, however, to imagine that the smaller species -exist only in the vicinity of the pole and in the temperate regions of -the earth: he will find, on the contrary, that many of them are natives -of more southern climes, and commit their petty ravages under as fierce -a sun as that which fires their more dreaded competitors in the career -of rapine and of blood. Of one of these, the true Lynx of antiquity, we -shall have occasion to treat in a subsequent article. - -But there is also a third class which springs into existence in the -warmer climates of America, some of whose representatives almost equal -the Tiger in magnitude, in vigour, and in ferocity, while others rival -the Leopard in the beauty and sleekness of their fur, and in the agility -and gracefulness of their motions. Foremost of these, and holding the -highest rank among the most formidable animals of the New World, stands -the Jaguar, or, as he is sometimes called, the American Tiger. Superior -to the Leopard in size as well as in strength, he approaches very nearly -in both respects to the Lionesses of the smaller breeds: he is, however, -less elevated on his legs, and heavier and more clumsy in all his -proportions. His head is larger and rounder than that of the Leopard; -and his tail is considerably shorter in proportion, being only of -sufficient length to allow of its touching the ground when the animal is -standing, while that of the Leopard, as we have before observed, is very -nearly as long as his whole body. This disproportion between the length -of their tails affords perhaps the most striking distinction between -the two animals, offering, as it does, a constant and never-failing -criterion; whereas the difference in the marking of their furs, although -sufficiently obvious on a close examination, depends almost entirely -on such minute particularities as would probably escape the notice of -a superficial observer, and were in fact for a long time so completely -neglected, even by zoologists, that it is only within a few years that -we have been again taught accurately to distinguish between them. These -particularities we shall now proceed to point out. - -On the whole upper surface of the body of the Jaguar the fur, which is -short, close, and smooth, is of a bright yellowish fawn; passing on the -throat, belly, and inside of the legs, into a pure white. On this ground -the head, limbs, and under surface are covered with full black spots -of various sizes; and the rest of the body with roses, either entirely -bordered by a black ring or surrounded by several of the smaller black -spots arranged in a circular form. The full spots are generally continued -upon the greater part of the tail, the tip of which is black, and which -is also encircled near its extremity by three or four black rings. So far -there is little to distinguish the marking of the Jaguar from that of -the Leopard; we come now to the differences observable between them. The -spots which occupy the central line of the back in the former are full, -narrow, and elongated; and the roses of the sides and haunches, which are -considerably larger and proportionally less numerous than in the Leopard, -are all or nearly all marked with one or sometimes two black dots or -spots of smaller size towards their centre: an apparently trifling, -but constant and very remarkable distinction, which exists in no other -species. By this peculiarity alone the Jaguar may at once be recognised; -and this external characteristic, together with the extreme shortness -of his tail, his much greater size, his comparatively clumsy form, and -the heaviness of all his motions, not to speak of the peculiarity of -his voice, which has the sharp and harsh sound of an imperfect bark, -are unquestionably fully sufficient to sanction his separation from -a race of animals, from which, however much he may resemble them in -general characters, he differs in so many and such essential particulars. -That this separation has been made more complete by the hand of Nature -herself, who has interposed the wide ocean between him and those of his -fellows with whom alone there is any probability of his being confounded, -is an additional proof, if any confirmation were wanting, of the -soundness of the distinction which has been drawn between them. - -It is in the swampy forests of South America that the Jaguar commits -his destructive ravages, which are spread over nearly the whole of -that continent from Paraguay almost to the Isthmus of Darien. It has -frequently been said that he is also to be found in Mexico; but this -appears to be a mistake, originating probably in Buffon’s having -confounded the Jaguar with the Ocelot, describing and figuring the latter -under the name of the former, and intermingling with his description many -of the peculiar traits of the real Jaguar derived from the relations -of travellers. On the other hand he has erroneously figured the latter -animal under the name of the Panther; a mistake in which he has been -followed by Pennant and others, and with which the writings of zoologists -are more or less infected even up to the present day. What the Panther of -the ancients actually was, or whether there exists any real difference -between it and the Leopard, is a much disputed question, into which we -have neither space nor inclination to enter: certain it is that it could -not possibly have been the present animal, which has never been found out -of the limits of America; and that Buffon himself had no idea, while he -was figuring the latter, that the specimen before him was not a native of -Africa or the East. The name of Jaguar is corruptedly derived from the -Brazilian appellation of the animal, to which the Portuguese have given -the name of Onça; another blunder, for the Ounce of the Old World is now -universally allowed to be identical with the Leopard, and with the latter -we have already shown that it is impossible that the American species can -be conjoined. - -Like the Cats already described, to whom, however, he is much inferior -in the suppleness and elasticity of his motions, the Jaguar makes -his solitary haunt in the recesses of the forest, especially in the -neighbourhood of large rivers, which he swims with the greatest -dexterity. Of the extent of this faculty, as well as of his extraordinary -strength, some judgment may be formed from a circumstance related by -D’Azara, which fell partly under that traveller’s personal observation; -namely, that a Jaguar, after having attacked and destroyed a horse, -carried the body of his victim for about sixty paces to the bank of a -broad and deep river, over which he swam with his prey, and then dragged -it into the adjoining wood. According to M. Sonnini he is as expert at -climbing as at swimming. “I have seen,” he says, “in the forests of -Guiana, the prints left by the claws of the Jaguar on the smooth bark of -a tree from forty to fifty feet in height, measuring about a foot and a -half in circumference, and clothed with branches near its summit alone. -It was easy to follow with the eye the efforts which the animal had made -to reach the branches: although his talons had been thrust deeply into -the body of the tree, he had met with several slips, but he had always -recovered his ground, and, attracted no doubt by some favourite object of -prey, had at length succeeded in gaining the very top.” - -Endowed with such tremendous powers it is no wonder that this formidable -animal is regarded with terror by the inhabitants of the countries which -he infests. He seldom, however, attacks the human race; although he does -not appear to shun it with any peculiar dread. His onset is always made -from behind, and in the same treacherous manner as that of all his tribe; -of a herd of animals or of a band of men passing within his reach, he -uniformly singles out the last as the object of his fatal bound. When he -has made choice of his victim he springs upon its neck, and, placing one -of his paws upon the back of its head while he seizes its muzzle with -the other, twists its head round with a sudden jerk, which dislocates -its spine and deprives it instantaneously of life and motion. His -favourite game appears to be the larger quadrupeds, such as oxen, horses, -sheep, and dogs, whom he attacks indiscriminately and almost always -successfully, when urged by the powerful cravings of his maw. At other -times he is indolent and cowardly, secretes himself in caverns, skulks in -the depths of the forest, and is scared by the most trifling causes. - -The Spaniards and even the native Indians appear to take a pleasure in -hunting the Jaguar, whom they attack in various ways. One of the most -common is to chase him with a numerous pack of dogs, who, although they -dare not attack so formidable an opponent, frequently succeed in driving -him to seek refuge on a tree or in a thick copse. Should he trust himself -to the former, he is usually destroyed by the musket or the lance; but -if he has taken covert among the bushes, it is sometimes difficult to -aim at him with precision. In this latter case some of the Indians are -hardy enough to attack him single-handed; a perilous exploit, which, -according to D’Azara, they perform in the following manner. Armed only -with a lance, of five feet in length, they envelope their left arm -in a sheep-skin, by means of which they evade the first onset of the -furious animal, and gain sufficient time to plunge their weapon into his -body before he can turn upon them for a second attack. Another mode of -destroying him is by means of the lasso; but this method can of course -be employed only when the animal roams abroad upon the plains, or can be -driven by the dogs into an open space fit for the purpose. Riding at full -gallop with the lasso coiled up in their hands, these excellent horsemen -will throw the noose with such certainty and precision as infallibly to -secure their formidable enemy at the distance of a hundred paces, and to -place him completely at their mercy. - -The Jaguar is generally said to be quite untameable, and to maintain -his savage ferocity even in a state of captivity, showing no symptoms -of attachment to those who have the care of him. This assertion is -amply contradicted by the fact that an individual confined in the Paris -Menagerie, was exceedingly mild in his temper, and particularly fond -of licking the hands of those with whom he was familiar; as was also -remarkably the case with the specimen lately in the Tower, whose portrait -ornaments the present article. This animal was obtained by Lord Exmouth -while on the American station, and accompanied the expedition to Algiers -at the memorable bombardment of that nest of pirates. On his return -to England, his Lordship gave it to the Marchioness of Londonderry, -who soon afterwards presented it to his Majesty, by whose order it was -placed in the Tower; where it continued until a short time since, when it -unfortunately died. Mr. Cops is, however, in expectation of being soon -enabled to replace it. It was exhibited under the name of the Panther, an -appellation which we have before stated that the Jaguar had erroneously -obtained, not only among the furriers, by whom it is universally so -called, but even among scientific zoologists. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE PUMA. - -_FELIS CONCOLOR._ LINN. - - -Nearly approaching to the Jaguar in size and form, but obviously -distinguished from him at the first glance, by the total absence of -spots, the Puma, Couguar, or, as he was once called, the American Lion, -occupies the second place among the cats of the New World, over nearly -the whole of which he was formerly spread, from Canada and the United -States in the North, to the very extremity of Patagonia in the South. -From a large portion of this immense expanse of country he appears, -however, to have been of late years in a great measure, if not entirely, -rooted out; and it is seldom that he is now heard of in the vicinity -of that civilization, which involves, as a necessary consequence, -either the complete extinction, or, at least, the gradual diminution and -dispersion to more secure and sheltered habitations, of all the more -savage and obnoxious beasts. For his title of the American Lion he was, -in a great degree, indebted to an absurd notion on the part of the early -colonists, which was even shared by many naturalists, that he was, in -reality, neither more nor less than a degenerate variety of that far more -noble animal. This opinion has, however, long since given way before -the prevalence of sounder views; and he is now universally recognised -as forming a species clearly distinguishable from every other, by a -combination of characters which it is impossible to mistake. - -Almost the only striking point of resemblance between him and the Lion -consists in the uniform sameness of his colour, which on the upper parts -of his body is of a bright silvery fawn, the tawny hairs being terminated -by whitish tips: beneath and on the inside of the limbs he is nearly -white, and more completely so on the throat, chin, and upper lip. The -head has an irregular mixture of black and gray; the outside of the ears, -especially at the base, the sides of the muzzle from which the whiskers -take their origin, and the extremity of the tail, are black. The latter -is not terminated, as in the Lion, by a brush of hair; neither has the -Puma any vestige of a mane. His length from the tip of the nose to the -root of the tail is commonly about four feet, and his tail measures above -half as much more, being just sufficiently long to suffer its extremity -to trail upon the ground. His head is remarkably small and rounded, with -a broad and somewhat obtuse muzzle; and his body is proportionably more -slender and less elevated than that of the Lion. His young, like those -of the latter animal, have a peculiar livery, consisting in spots of a -darker shade than the rest of their fur, scattered over every part of the -body, but only visible in a particular light, and disappearing entirely -at the adult age. There is no difference whatever in colour between the -sexes, the fur of the female being in every respect similar to that of -the male: in size the latter is superior to his mate; and his head, a -part which in the female is disproportionately small, corresponds better -with the general form of his body. - -More circumspect, or rather more cowardly, than any of the larger species -of his cautious tribe, he is, notwithstanding his much greater magnitude, -scarcely more dangerous than the common wild cat, preying only upon -the smaller species of animals, seldom venturing to attack any living -creature of greater size or courage than a sheep, and flying from the -face of man with more than usual terror. But this cowardice is also, in a -state of nature, connected with a degree of ferocity, fully equal to that -which is developed in the most savage and blood-thirsty of his fellow -cats. Unlike the Jaguar, which generally contents itself with a single -victim, the Puma, if he should happen to find himself undisturbed in the -midst of a flock of sheep, deserted by their guardians and left entirely -at his mercy, is said never to spare, but to destroy every individual -that he can reach, for the purpose of sucking its blood. He differs also -from the Jaguar in his habit of frequenting the open plain rather than -the forest and the river, in and near which the latter usually takes his -secret and destructive stand. Hence he is more exposed to the pursuit of -the skilful thrower of the lasso, from whom, as his swiftness is by no -means great and his timidity excessive, he rarely escapes. - -In captivity the Puma readily becomes tame, and may even be rendered -docile and obedient. His manners closely resemble those of the domestic -cat; like it he is extremely fond of being noticed, raises his back and -stretches his limbs beneath the hand that caresses him, and expresses -his pleasure by the same quiet and complacent purring. They soon become -attached to those with whom they are familiar; and numerous instances -might be mentioned in which they have been suffered to roam almost at -large about the house without any injurious results. One of these is no -doubt familiar to many of our readers, occurring as it did under the -roof of Mr. Kean, the tragedian, who possessed an animal of this species -so tame as to follow him about almost like a dog, and to be frequently -introduced into his drawing-room, when filled with company, at perfect -liberty. - -The Puma figured above is a female, about three years old, exceedingly -sleek in her fur and lively in her colours, and equally mild and -good-tempered with any of her race. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE OCELOT. - -_FELIS PARDALIS._ LINN. - - -“Of all the animals with tigrine skins,” says Buffon, “the male Ocelot -has unquestionably the most beautiful and at the same time the most -elegantly variegated robe; that of the Leopard himself does not approach -it in liveliness of colour or regularity of design.” That this estimate -is by no means exaggerated will readily be allowed by all who have -had an opportunity of seeing this truly beautiful creature, which may -unquestionably be regarded as the _beau ideal_ of a cat. Nearly equal -in size to the Lynx of Europe, but shorter in its proportions and more -graceful in its form, it holds, as it were, a middle station between -the Leopard and the domestic cat. Its body, when full grown, is nearly -three feet in length, and its tail rather more than one; while its medium -height may be reckoned at about eighteen inches. The ground colour of -its fur is gray mingled with a slight tinge of fawn; and on this it is -elegantly marked with numerous longitudinal bands, the dorsal one being -continuous and entirely black, and the lateral, to the number of six or -seven on each side, consisting for the most part of a series of elongated -spots with black margins, sometimes completely distinct, and sometimes -running together. The centre of each of these spots offers a deeper tinge -of fawn than the ground colour external to them; and this deeper tinge -is also conspicuous on the upper part of the head and neck, and on the -outside of the limbs, all of which parts are irregularly marked with -full black lines and spots of various sizes. From the top of the head, -between the ears, there pass backwards, towards the shoulders, two, or -more frequently four, uninterrupted diverging bands, which are full black -anteriorly, but generally bifurcate posteriorly and enclose a narrow -fawn-coloured space within a black margin; between these there is a -single longitudinal somewhat interrupted narrow black line, occupying the -centre of the neck above. The ears are short and rounded, and externally -margined with black, surrounding a large central whitish spot. The under -parts of the body are whitish, spotted with black, and the tail, which is -of the same ground colour with the body, is also covered with blackish -spots. - -The description above given is chiefly derived from the comparison of -two living specimens, the one existing in the Menagerie of the Tower, -the other in that of the Zoological Society, at their gardens in the -Regent’s Park. There is one circumstance, however, of which it may be -necessary to offer some explanation. We have stated the length of the -tail at more than a foot; and in all the known Ocelots, as well as in -all the species (of which there are several) that approach it in form -and colouring, the proportionate length of the tail is at least equal to -that which we have given as its average measurement. That of the Tower -specimen, however, does not exceed six or seven inches; its extremity is -completely overgrown with hair, and there is no appearance of a cicatrix. -Still its equality throughout, and its abrupt stumpiness, if we may so -express ourselves, induce the belief that this abbreviation of the tail -is purely accidental; and we feel by no means inclined to regard the -specimen before us as belonging to a new species, to be distinguished by -the excessive shortness of that appendage, by the unusually pale colour -of its markings, and by some slight peculiarities in the mode of their -arrangement, which varies indeed in every individual that we have seen. - -The animal in question, accurately represented in the portrait which is -prefixed to the present article, was presented by the late Sir Ralph -Woodford, governor of Trinidad, about six months since, under the name -of the Peruvian Tiger; from which denomination we may presume that it -was originally brought from that part of the continent of America. The -species, however, is very widely spread, being found as well in Mexico, -from the language of which country it derives its name, as in Paraguay. -Its habits are similar to those of the other cats, keeping itself close -in the depths of the forests during the day, and prowling abroad at -night in search of victims, which it finds in the smaller quadrupeds -and birds. In the chase of the latter it is particularly successful, -pursuing them even to their nests amid the trees, which it climbs with -the greatest agility. It is easily tamed, but seldom loses all trace -of its natural ferocity. D’Azara, however, speaks of one which was so -completely domiciliated as to be left at perfect liberty; it was strongly -attached to its master, and never attempted to make its escape. The -specimen in the Tower, which is a male, is perfectly good tempered, -exceedingly fond of play, and has, in fact, much of the character and -manners of the domestic cat. Its food consists principally of rabbits and -of birds, the latter of which it plucks with the greatest dexterity, and -always commences its meal with their heads, of which it appears to be -particularly fond. It does not eat with the same ravenous avidity which -characterizes nearly all the animals of his tribe. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE CARACAL. - -_FELIS CARACAL._ LINN. - - -The Caracal, which is unquestionably identical with the Lynx of the -Ancients, but whose original name has been, in modern times, usurped -by an animal of northern origin, utterly unknown to the Greeks, and -distinguished by the Romans by a totally different appellation, is -a native of most of the warmer climates of the Old World, infesting -probably as large an extent of the surface of the earth as the Lion or -the Leopard themselves. Throughout the whole of Africa, from Egypt and -Barbary to the extremity of Caffraria, and in the southern half of Asia, -at least as far eastwards as the Ganges, he follows, as it were, in the -footsteps of those larger and more formidable beasts. So uniformly -indeed has he been met with in the train of the Lion, that many early -writers, determined to find a reason for every thing, laid it down as -a settled fact that the Caracal, equally with the Jackal, although in -a different manner, was the Lion’s purveyor; that he accompanied that -terrible animal in the pursuit of his prey; pointed it out to him by -means of his more delicate nostril and piercing sight; and, when his -royal master had finished his meal, received a portion of the flesh in -reward for his good and loyal service. But the greater part of this -fanciful tale is now known to have had its origin only in the imagination -of men who had caught a glimpse of the real truth, and made up for the -want of accurate observation by the invention of a theory almost as -fabulous as the stories of the ancients, which attributed to the same -animal such wonderful powers of sight as to pierce even through stone -walls. He follows, it is true, in the traces of the Lion; but, far from -associating with him in the pursuit of game, he ventures not, any more -than the other beasts of the forest, to trust himself within reach of his -paw. His object is solely to satiate his appetite upon the remains of the -mangled carcases which the Lion may leave; consequently the latter might -with much greater truth and propriety be regarded as the purveyor of the -Caracal, who depends perhaps more for his subsistence upon the food thus -provided for him, than upon that which he can procure by the exercise of -his own powers or sagacity. He frequently, however, indulges his native -ferocity in petty ravages on the smaller and more timid quadrupeds, such -as hares and rabbits: birds also form a favourite object of his attacks, -and in pursuit of them he mounts the tallest trees with surprising -swiftness and agility. It is even said that his qualifications for the -chase are capable of cultivation; and it has been repeated by travellers, -from the days of the celebrated Marco Polo downwards, that the princes -of the East occasionally make use of his services in taking small game -in nearly the same manner as they employ the subject of the succeeding -article for the larger: but from all that we know of his disposition in a -state of captivity, this statement appears, to say the least, extremely -questionable. - -In size the Caracal is somewhat larger than the Fox. The whole of the -upper surface of his body is of a deep and uniform brown, the hairs -being for the most part slightly tipped with gray; the under and inner -parts are nearly white; and the chin and lower lip, and two spots, one -on the inner side of and above the eye, and the other beneath its outer -angle, completely so. The neck and throat are of a lighter and brighter -brown than the rest of the fur. The ears, which are long and upright, -taper gradually to a fine tip, which is surmounted by a pencil of long -black hairs; they are black externally and whitish within. It is to the -striking character afforded by these organs that the animal is indebted -for his modern name of Caracal, corrupted from his Turkish appellation, -which, equally with that by which he is known in Persia, signifies -“black ear.” His whiskers are short, and take their origin from a series -of black lines which occupy the sides of the muzzle; at some distance -behind them, in front of the neck on each side, is a short and thick tuft -of lighter coloured hairs. The tail, which is eight or nine inches in -length, is of the same uniform colour with the body from its base to its -tip. - -The specimen in the Tower, from which our engraving was made and our -description taken, is a native of Bengal, a locality from which these -animals have been so rarely brought to Europe, that it has been a -question among naturalists whether the Caracal of India and that of -Africa really belonged to the same species. There is, however, no -difference of any importance observable between the present animal and -those which have been brought from the latter continent. It is extremely -sulky, keeping constantly retired in one of the backward corners of -its cage, and swearing, as we express it in the common cat, almost -incessantly when conscious of being noticed. The Lynxes indeed appear, -at least when in captivity, to exercise this peculiar faculty of voice -to a much greater extent than any other species of the group. They are -remarkably irascible and mistrustful, and are seldom completely tamed. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE CHETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPARD. - -_FELIS JUBATA._ SCHREB. - - -Uniting to the system of dentition, the general habit and many of the -most striking peculiarities of the cats, some of the distinguishing -features and much of the intelligence, the teachableness, and the -fidelity of the dog, the Hunting Leopard forms a sort of connecting -link between two groups of animals, otherwise completely separated, and -exhibiting scarcely any other character in common than the carnivorous -propensities by which both are, in a greater or less degree, actuated -and inspired. Intermediate in size and shape between the leopard and the -hound, he is slenderer in his body, more elevated on his legs, and less -flattened on the fore part of his head than the former, while he is -deficient in the peculiarly graceful and lengthened form, both of head -and body, which characterize the latter. His tail is entirely that of a -cat; and his limbs, although more elongated than in any other species -of that group, seem better fitted for strong muscular exertion than -for active and long-continued speed. From these indications it may be -gathered that he approaches much more nearly to the feline than to the -canine group: we shall therefore follow the example of zoologists in -general, by referring him for the present and provisionally to the genus -Felis, and proceed to point out more particularly the characters by which -he is connected with, as well as those by which he is distinguished from, -the rest of that formidable and extensive tribe. - -In the number and form of his teeth, in the asperity of his tongue, in -the conformation of his organs of sense, and in the number of his claws, -he accurately corresponds with the legitimate species of the genus Felis. -The principal character in which he differs from them consists in the -slight degree of retractility of these latter organs. Instead of being -withdrawn within sheaths appropriated for the purpose, as in the whole of -the cats properly so called, the claws of the Hunting Leopard are capable -of only a very limited retraction within the skin, and are consequently -exposed to the action of the ground on which they tread, their points and -edges being thus rendered liable to be blunted by the constant pressure -to which they are subjected, almost to the same extent as in the dogs. -The slightest consideration of the uses to which the claws are applied by -the whole of the feline tribe, in whom they are, in fact, in consequence -of their extreme power and sharpness, organs of offence if possible -more deadly and more destructive than the teeth, will teach us that the -modification which has just been described in so important a part of -their organization, must of necessity be accompanied by a corresponding -change in manners and habits; and that convenience alone, and the want of -analogous structure in any other animal, could justify us in continuing -to class the Chetah among the cats, from whom he differs in so essential -a particular. - -In outward form, however, notwithstanding his more slender make, the -difference between them is by no means great. His head, although more -elevated and prominent in front, exhibits the same broad lateral -expansion, caused by the thick mass of muscle which acts so powerfully -upon the short and dilated jaws of the cats, and imparts to them that -tremendous force and effect for which they are so remarkable. His legs, -notwithstanding their increased length and slender proportions, retain -all the elastic springiness, by means of which the Leopard or the -Tiger are enabled to bound with so much vigour and velocity upon their -unsuspecting prey. His air and manners, too, are unquestionably those -of the cats; and his mode of colouring, which we shall next proceed to -describe, although exhibiting very peculiar and marked distinctions, -offers so close an analogy to that of the Jaguar and the Leopard, that, -were we to regard this character alone, it would be impossible to arrange -him in a different group from that which comprehends those beautifully -spotted, but ferocious, beasts. His fur, however, it must be remarked, -has little of the sleekness which characterizes those animals, but -exhibits, on the contrary, a peculiar crispness which is not to be found -in any other of the tribe. - -His ground-colour is a bright yellowish fawn above, and nearly pure -white beneath, covered above and on the sides by innumerable closely -approximating spots, from half an inch to an inch in diameter, which are -intensely black, and do not, as in the Leopard and others of the spotted -cats, form roses with a lighter centre, but are full and complete. These -spots, which are wanting on the chest and under part of the body, are -larger on the back than on the head, sides, and limbs, where they are -more closely set: they are also spread along the tail, forming on the -greater part of its extent interrupted rings, which, however, become -continuous as they approach its extremity, the three or four last rings -surrounding it completely. The tip of the tail is white, as is also -the whole of its under surface, with the exception of the rings just -mentioned; it is equally covered with long hair throughout its entire -length, which is more than half that of the body. The outside of the -ears, which are short and rounded, is marked by a broad black spot at the -base, the tip, as also the inside, being whitish. The upper part of his -head is of a deeper tinge; and he has a strongly marked flexuous black -line, of about half an inch in breadth, extending from the inner angle of -the eye to the angle of the mouth. The extremity of the nose is black, -like that of the dog. The mane, from which he derives his scientific -name, is not very remarkable: it consists of a series of longer, crisper, -and more upright hairs, which extend along the back of the neck and the -anterior portion of the spine. - -Such are the outward and physical characteristics of this beautiful -animal; in his moral and intellectual qualities he differs still more -widely from that compound of unteachableness, malice, and mistrust, which -is the necessary result of the low degree of intelligence possessed -by the remainder of the group of animals with which he is at present -associated. Of his habits in a state of nature we have no certain -information; but in his tamed and domesticated condition he has been -rendered, in some countries at least, auxiliary to man, by the successful -cultivation of his mental faculties, which have been trained into a -degree of subservience to the commands of his master, that can only -be surpassed by the superior sagacity of the hound. Chardin, Bernier, -Tavernier, and others of the older travellers had related that in several -parts of Asia it was customary to make use of a large spotted cat in the -pursuit of game, and that this animal was called Youze in Persia, and -Chetah in India; but the statements of these writers were so imperfect, -and the descriptions given by them so incomplete, that it was next to -impossible to recognise the particular species intended. We now, however, -know with certainty that the animal thus employed is the Felis jubata of -naturalists, which inhabits the greater part both of Asia and of Africa. -It is common in India and Sumatra, as well as in Persia; and is well -known both in Senegal and at the Cape of Good Hope; but the ingenuity -of the savage natives of the latter countries has not, so far as we -know, been exerted in rendering its services available in the chase in -the manner so successfully practised by the more refined and civilized -inhabitants of Persia and of Hindostan. In Senegal it is valued only on -account of its skin, which forms an important article in the commerce of -that colony; while at the Cape, where it is known to the Dutch settlers -by the misapplied name of Luipard (Leopard), it seems to be entirely -neglected even in a commercial point of view. In the neighbourhood of the -latter colony, it should be added, the animal appears from the testimony -of travellers to be of rare occurrence; and Professor Lichtenstein, -in particular, mentions an instance in which the skin of one was worn -by the chief of a horde of Caffres as a badge of peculiar dignity and -distinction. - -But even in the East, where the qualities of the Chetah appear to be -best appreciated, and his faculties to be turned to most account, it -would seem that he is not employed in hunting by all classes of the -people indiscriminately; but, on the contrary, that he is reserved for -the especial amusement and gratification of the nobles and princes of -the land, rather than used for purposes of real and general advantage. -In this respect, and indeed in many others, as will be seen by the -following brief account of the mode in which the chase with the Hunting -Leopard is conducted, it bears a close resemblance to the ancient sport -of hawking, so prevalent throughout Europe in the days of feudal tyranny, -but scarcely practised at the present day except by the more splendid -slaves of Asiatic despotism. The animal or animals, for occasionally -several of them are employed at the same time, are carried to the field -in low chariots, on which they are kept chained and hooded, in order -to deprive them of the power and temptation to anticipate the word of -command by leaping forth before the appointed time. When they are thus -brought within view of a herd of antelopes, which generally consists -of five or six females and a male, they are unchained and their hoods -are removed, their keepers directing their attention to the prey, which, -as they do not hunt by smell, it is necessary that they should have -constantly in sight. When this is done, the wily animal does not at once -start forwards towards the object of his pursuit, but, seemingly aware -that he would have no chance of overtaking an antelope in the fleetness -of the race, in which the latter is beyond measure his superior, winds -cautiously along the ground, concealing himself as much as possible -from sight, and, when he has in this covert manner nearly reached the -unsuspecting herd, breaks forth upon them unawares, and after five or six -tremendous bounds, which he executes with almost incredible velocity, -darts at once upon his terrified victim, strangles him in an instant, and -takes his fill of blood. In the meanwhile the keeper quietly approaches -the scene of slaughter, caresses the successful animal, and throws to -him pieces of meat to amuse him and keep him quiet while he blinds him -with the hood and replaces him upon the chariot, to which he is again -attached by his chain. But if, as is not unfrequently the case, the herd -should have taken the alarm, and the Chetah should prove unsuccessful in -his attack, he never attempts to pursue them, but returns to his master -with a mortified and dejected air, to be again let slip at a fresh quarry -whenever a fit opportunity occurs. - -The Chetah has been until of late years very imperfectly known in -Europe. Linnæus was entirely unacquainted with it, and Buffon described -it from the fur alone under the name of Guêpard, the appellation by -which its skin was distinguished in the commerce with Senegal, but -evidently without suspecting its identity with the Asiatic animal, the -trained habits of which, misled probably by the authority of Tavernier, -he erroneously attributed to his imaginary Ounce. Subsequent French -zoologists had rectified this error, and it was generally believed that -the tamed Leopard of Bernier, the Youze, the Guêpard, and Tavernier’s -Ounce, were one and the same animal; but it was not until a year or two -ago that the possession of a living specimen, brought from Senegal, in -the Menagerie of the Jardin du Roi, enabled M. F. Cuvier to ascertain -its characters with precision. The comparison of this African specimen -with the skins sent from India, and with the notes and drawings made in -that country by M. Duvaucel, to whom we are indebted for a vast deal of -interesting information relative to the zoology of the East of Asia, at -once put an end to all doubts of the identity of the two animals. - -Several individuals have been brought alive to this country at various -times; but, notwithstanding the opportunities thus afforded, it does not -appear that English naturalists have paid any particular attention to the -study of their character and habits. In all probability the earliest that -arrived in Europe was one which was brought from India by Lord Pigot, and -which was figured by Pennant under the name of the Hunting Leopard. Three -others, found at the capture of Seringapatam among the rest of the state -paraphernalia of the fallen Sultan, came into the possession of General, -afterwards Lord, Harris, who, on his return to England, presented them -to his late Majesty, by whose command they were placed in the Tower. -They did not, however, long survive the effects of the passage and of -the change of climate, which latter has proved equally fatal to the -few specimens which have since been brought to this country for public -exhibition. They appear, indeed, to be exceedingly delicate in their -temperament, and to require considerable attention on the part of their -keeper. The pair now in the Tower, if two individuals of the same sex, -both of them being males, can be called a pair, were purchased by Mr. -Cops a few months since from the captain of a vessel trading to Senegal, -to whom they were brought by some of the natives when only a few weeks -old and no larger than an ordinary cat. They were the constant inmates of -his cabin, and soon became strongly attached to their master, never, as -they grew up, exhibiting the slightest symptom of that savage ferocity -to which all the larger cats are occasionally more or less prone, even -under the most favourable circumstances. Much of this peculiar meekness -of temper, which they still maintain, is doubtless owing to the very -early age at which they were made captive, as well as to the mild and -little stimulating nature of the food to which they have ever since been -accustomed. This consists chiefly of boiled meat and meal; and during the -winter season, in consequence of the delicacy of their habit, they are -supplied with hot mashes, gruel, &c. Their mode of feeding is very like -that of the dog. - -In size and stature these beautiful animals considerably exceed any that -have been seen in this country of late years. They are truly, as may be -judged from their portraits, an elegant and graceful pair, having, when -led out into the yard in their couples, very much of the air and manners -of a brace of greyhounds. When noticed or fondled they purr like a cat; -and this is their usual mode of expressing pleasure. If, on the other -hand, they are uneasy, whether that uneasiness arises from cold, from -a craving after food, from a jealous apprehension of being neglected, -or from any other cause, their note consists of a short, uniform, and -repeated mew. They are extremely fond of play, and their manner of -playing very much resembles that of the cat; with this difference, -however, that it never, as in the latter animal, degenerates into -malicious cunning or wanton mischief. Their character, indeed, seems to -be entirely free from that sly and suspicious feeling of mistrust which -is so strikingly visible in the manners and actions of all the cats, and -which renders them so little susceptible of real or lasting attachment. -The Chetahs, on the contrary, speedily become fond of those who are kind -to them, and exhibit their fondness in an open, frank, and confiding -manner. There can, in fact, be little doubt that they might with the -greatest facility be reduced to a state of perfect domestication, and -rendered nearly as familiar and as faithful as the dog himself. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE STRIPED HYÆNA. - -_HYÆNA VULGARIS._ DESM. - - -From the strongly marked group, to the illustration of various species -of which the foregoing pages have been dedicated, we pass by a natural -and easy transition to an animal, which, although closely resembling -them in its zoological characters, and in the cowardly ferocity of -its disposition, bears nevertheless a stronger affinity to the dogs, -with which it was associated by Linnæus. From each of these groups it -is, however, readily distinguished by several obvious and essential -characters, of sufficient importance to sanction its separation as a -genus, now universally adopted among naturalists. - -Like both the cats and the dogs, the Hyænas are completely digitigrade; -that is to say, they walk only on the extremities of their toes: but -these toes are only four in number on each of their feet, and are -armed with short, thick, strong, and truncated claws, which are not -in the least retractile, and are evidently formed for digging in the -earth, a practice to which they are impelled by a horrid and hateful -propensity, which we shall have further occasion to notice in describing -their habits and mode of life. Their body, in shape much resembling -that of the wolf, to which they also approach very nearly in size, is -considerably more elevated in front than behind, owing partly to their -constant custom of keeping the posterior legs bent in a crouching and -half recumbent posture. Beneath the tail, which is short and dependent, -they are furnished with a pouch, in the interior of which is secreted -a peculiar matter of a very strong and disagreeable smell. Their head -is large and broad, flattened in front, and terminating in a short, -thick, and obtuse muzzle. Like most carnivorous animals, they are armed -in each jaw with six cutting teeth, and two canine, the latter of which -are of considerable size and strength. The outermost pair of incisors in -the upper jaw are much larger and stronger than the rest, and closely -resemble the canine in form. The number of the molar or cheek teeth -is five on each side in the upper jaw, and four in the lower; and all -of them are remarkable for their extreme thickness and strength in -comparison with those of the dogs and cats. Their tongue is similar to -that of the latter animals in the roughness which it derives from the -sharp and elevated papillæ with which it is covered. - -Of the genus thus characterized there exist two well marked and -unquestionably distinct species, the Striped Hyæna, or Hyæna vulgaris -of modern zoologists, which there can be no doubt is also the Hyæna of -the ancients; and the Hyæna crocuta, or Spotted Hyæna, the Tiger Wolf -of the colonists of the Cape of Good Hope. To these may probably be -added a third species, which there is good ground for believing to be -distinct, and which has lately been described by Dr. Andrew Smith, the -superintendant of the South African Museum, under the name of Hyæna -villosa: this is also a native of the vicinity of the Cape, and is -denominated by the settlers the Strand Wolf, or Strand Jut. With the -two latter we have, however, on the present occasion, no concern; the -only animal of this genus in the Tower belonging to the striped race, -which inhabits the greater part of Asia and of Africa, penetrating in -the former as far as India, and extending over all the northern part of -the latter continent. It does not appear that the striped and spotted -races are ever found to occupy the same ground; but the territorial -limits which separate the one from the other have not yet been distinctly -ascertained. - -The striped Hyæna has for its ground colour a uniform brownish gray, -which is somewhat darker above than beneath. On the sides of the body it -is marked by several irregular distant transverse blackish stripes or -bands, which are more distinct on the lower part. Towards the shoulders -and haunches these stripes become oblique, and they are continued in -regular transverse lines on the outside of the legs. The front of the -neck is completely black, as are also the muzzle and the outsides of -the ears; the latter being broad, moderately long, and nearly destitute -of hairs, especially on the inside. The hair of the body is long, -particularly on the back of the neck and on the spine, where it forms -a full and thick mane, which may be said to be continued even upon the -tail, the latter organ being furnished with strong tufted hairs of -considerable length. The mane and the tail are both marked with blackish -spots or stripes variously and irregularly placed. Much variety is indeed -to be met with as well in the ground colour of the whole body as in the -disposition of the markings, which are extremely different in different -individuals. - -The habits of the Hyænas are entirely nocturnal: while in the daytime -their cowardice is so excessive that they fly from the face of man, -and suffer themselves, when taken, to be ill treated with impunity and -even without attempting to avenge themselves, they prowl abroad in the -stillness of the night with all the temerity of brutal daring. They -will frequently make prey of the lesser animals, and will occasionally -venture to attack dogs and even horses; but it is seldom that they muster -up sufficient courage to contend with living man, unless stimulated by -strong provocation, or impelled by the most violent cravings of hunger. -Congregated in numerous bands they beset the encampment of the traveller, -or infest the neighbourhood of villages or even of towns, which they -enter with the fall of night and do not quit until the dawn of day; -disturbing the inhabitants with their peculiar moaning or wailing, which -is in some measure intermediate between a grunt and a howl. Parading the -streets and penetrating into the houses in search of prey, they eagerly -devour the offal of animals, the refuse of the daily meal, or whatever -else that is in any way eatable may happen to fall in their way. -Nothing, however filthy, comes amiss to their voracious appetites, which -are indeed unbounded. They even break into the cemeteries of the dead, -and tearing open the graves by means of their powerful claws, disinter -the buried corpses, on which they glut that horrid propensity for feeding -on carrion, which is at once the most striking and the most disgusting -of their peculiarities. Their fondness for this polluted species of food -tends of course not a little to increase the natural antipathy with -which they are regarded by the natives of the countries in which they -abound, and renders them objects of peculiar detestation and abhorrence. -The great size and strength of their teeth and the immense power of -their jaws enable them to crush the largest bones with comparative -facility, and account for the avidity with which they prey upon an almost -fleshless skeleton. In the daytime they retire into caves, from which -they issue only when the shades of evening warn them that the hour for -their depredations has arrived. Their gait is awkward and usually slow -and constrained; when scared, however, from their prey, or when pursued -by the hunter, they fly with tolerable swiftness, but still with an -appearance of lameness in their motions, resulting from the constant -bending of their posterior legs. - -Notwithstanding the brutal voracity of his habits and the savage -fierceness of his disposition, there is scarcely any animal that -submits with greater facility to the control of man. In captivity, -especially when taken young, a circumstance on which much depends in -the domestication of all wild animals, he is capable of being rendered -exceedingly tame, and even serviceable. In some parts of Southern Africa -the spotted species, which is by nature quite as ferocious in his -temper as the striped inhabitant of the North, has been domiciliated -in the houses of the peasantry, among whom he is preferred to the dog -himself for attachment to his master, for general sagacity, and even, it -is said, for his qualifications for the chase. That the Striped Hyæna -might be rendered equally useful is highly probable from the docility -and attachment which he manifests towards his keepers, especially when -allowed a certain degree of liberty, which he shows no disposition to -abuse. If more closely restricted his savage nature sometimes returns -upon him; and it is for this reason that those which are carried about -the country from fair to fair, pent up in close caravans, frequently -become surly and even dangerous. The individual whose portrait we give -is, on the contrary, remarkably tame; he is a native of the East Indies, -and is confined in the same den with one of the American Bears, as we -shall have occasion to notice more particularly when speaking of the -latter animal. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE HYÆNA-DOG. - -_CANIS PICTUS._ DESM. - - -It is not without much hesitation that we have adopted for this animal -the generic name of Canis, and referred it, in conformity with the -example of most of the leading zoologists of the day, to the same group -with the Wolf, the Jackal, and the Fox; from all of which it differs in -such important particulars as fully entitle it, in our estimation, to the -rank of a distinct and separate genus. To this rank it has, indeed, been -already raised by Mr. Brookes, under the generic appellation of Lycaon; -but as we are not aware that it has been any where described under that -name, or that any detailed account has been given of the characters -on which that separation is founded, we cannot consider ourselves -authorized in a work of this nature to make any innovations upon science, -however much we may feel, as in the present instance, that they are -called for by the exigency of the case. That its position is at least -doubtful is proved by the fact that M. Temminck, one of the ablest of the -continental zoologists, first described it from the living animal under -the designation of a Hyæna, and, having subsequently changed his opinion, -is now disposed to regard it as a species of dog. - -For the zoological characters of the latter genus the reader is referred -to the following article: at present we shall confine ourselves to the -description of the remarkable animal before us, pointing out, as we -proceed, the marks by which it differs from both the groups to which -it has hitherto been referred, and those by which it is assimilated to -either the one or the other. In the shape and elevation of its body -it is at first sight distinguished from them both, its legs being -considerably longer in relation to its size, and the trunk of its body, -as will be seen by the portrait prefixed, being very different in form -and proportions. It is entirely destitute of the mane of the Hyæna, and -its tail is very similar to that of certain dogs; but, on the other hand, -its head approximates very closely, or rather bears a most striking -resemblance, to the broad and flattened forehead, and the short and -truncated muzzle, which characterize the former genus. It is this latter -circumstance no doubt that has induced many naturalists, both popular and -scientific, to identify the Wild Dog, as he is called by the settlers at -the Cape, with a group of animals from which in every other particular -of outward structure, excepting one, it is remarkably and obviously -distinct. The only other point of agreement between them consists in -the number of its toes, which, like those of the Hyæna, are only four -to each foot. This peculiarity, combined with the form of the head, -unquestionably affords some ground for placing these animals in close -apposition; but is by no means so important, in the absence of other and -more essential characteristics, as to warrant their union into a single -group. Taken together, however, and in connexion with other features of -distinction, these characters may fairly be regarded as sufficiently -striking to sanction the separation of the animal now under consideration -from the dogs. With the latter it corresponds most completely in the -number and form of its teeth, and in the general structure of its -skeleton, which differs remarkably from that of the Hyæna. - -In size and form it is smaller and more slender than either the Hyæna or -the Wolf. Its ground colour is of a reddish or yellowish brown, which is -variously mottled in large patches along the sides of the body and on the -legs, with black and white intermingled together. Its nose and muzzle are -completely black, and it has a strong black line passing from them up the -centre of the forehead to between the ears, which are very large, black -both within and without, and furnished with a broad and expanded tuft -of long whitish hairs arising from their anterior margin and filling up -a considerable part of their concavity. There is a lighter patch on the -muzzle beneath each of the eyes. The tail is of moderate length, covered -with long bushy hair, and divided in the middle by a ring of black, below -which or towards the extremity it is nearly white, as are also the fore -parts of the legs below the joint. These colours and markings are subject -to variation in different individuals; but in their general disposition -and appearance they constantly exhibit the greatest similarity. - -The Hyæna-Dog, if this compound term may be allowed, is a native of -the South of Africa, and infests the frontier settlements at no great -distance from the Cape to a very extensive and troublesome degree. Mr. -Burchell, to whom we are indebted for the earliest specimen brought -to this country, as well as for first pointing out its distinctive -characters, informs us that it hunts in regular packs, preferring the -night, but frequently pursuing its prey even by day. It is not only -exceedingly fierce, but also remarkably swift and active, insomuch that -none but the fleeter animals can escape from its pursuit. Sheep, oxen, -and horses appear to be its favourite game: on the former it makes its -onset openly and without fear, but of the latter it seems to stand -in awe, and attacks them only by stealth, frequently surprising them -in their sleep, biting off the tails of the oxen, for which it has a -particular fancy, and inflicting such serious injuries upon the horses, -especially the young colts, as they rarely survive. - -The individual brought home by Mr. Burchell was kept by that gentleman -chained up in his stable-yard for more than a year; at the expiration -of which its ferocity continued unabated; the man who fed it being so -fearful of it that he “dared never to venture his hand upon it.” It is -nevertheless highly probable that with a somewhat firmer and bolder -treatment it might have been in some degree tamed, if not domesticated; -for it is stated that it at length became familiar with a dog, which -was its constant companion. That which is at present in the Tower was -brought to England in company with the youngest of the Cape Lions. They -agreed together extremely well; but as the Lion increased in size his -play became too rough for his comparatively feeble companion, who was -borne to the earth in a moment by the superior weight and strength of -his antagonist. Mr. Cops therefore found it necessary to consign them to -separate dens. Other companions for the Hyæna-Dog have, however, very -recently been obtained, an interesting addition having been made to the -stock of the Menagerie by the acquisition of a couple of Spotted Hyænas; -a brief notice of which we subjoin, as well as their portraits by way -of tail-piece, they having arrived during the progress of the present -sheet through the press, and consequently too late for insertion in their -proper place. - -In size the SPOTTED HYÆNA, the Hyæna Crocuta of naturalists, is somewhat -inferior to the striped. Its muzzle, although short, is not so abruptly -truncated; and its ears, which are short and broad, assume a nearly -quadrilateral figure. Its ground colour is yellowish brown; and the whole -body is covered with numerous spots of a deeper brown, tolerably uniform -in size, but sometimes not very distinctly marked, and occasionally -arranging themselves in longitudinal rows. Its hair is shorter than that -of the Striped Hyæna, and although longer on the neck and in the central -line of the back than elsewhere, does not form so distinct and well -furnished a mane as in the latter animal. The tail is blackish brown, and -covered with long bushy hair. - -This species appears to be peculiar to Southern Africa. In its wild state -it is equally ferocious in its temper and disgusting in its habits with -the common species of the North; but it has been found, as we have before -mentioned, to be capable of domestication, and of rendering services -to man equal to those which he derives from the dog. The pair which -have just arrived in the Tower have been placed by Mr. Cops in one den -with the Striped Hyæna and with the Hyæna-Dog; and this juxta-position -affords an excellent opportunity for a comparison of their characters -and disposition. They agree together tolerably well; but the new-comers -are hardly as yet reconciled to their abode, and consequently appear -shy and reserved. The Hyæna-Dog is the most lively of the group; and -his playfulness appears occasionally to give no little annoyance to the -Striped Hyæna, who generally returns his solicitations with a surly -snarl, but does not seem disposed to resent them farther. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE AFRICAN BLOODHOUND. - -_CANIS DOMESTICUS._ LINN. VAR. - - -The generic characters of this well known group, comprehending not -only the various races of the Dog, the Wolf, and the Jackal, but also -the numerous species of Foxes, which differ from the rest only in the -form of the pupils of their eyes (which are round in the former, and -transversely linear in the latter) may be shortly enumerated as follows. -They are all furnished in the upper jaw with six sharp incisors and two -canine teeth in front, and with six molars on each side; the same number -of each description is also to be found in the lower, with the addition -of a seventh grinder. Their tongue is perfectly smooth, the papillæ -which cover it being soft and velvety to the touch, instead of rough -and pointed as in the Hyænas and Cats. They have five toes to each of -the fore feet, of which only the four outermost touch the ground, the -fifth being always more or less elevated. On the hind feet the number of -the toes is no more than four, for although the rudiment of a fifth is -distinctly visible in the skeleton, it is rarely observable in the living -animal. On these toes they constantly support themselves in walking, the -soles of their feet, or rather that part of the legs which corresponds -to the soles of plantigrade animals, never being applied to the surface -of the ground on which they tread. Their claws are blunt, strong, but -little curved, and not at all retractile; and their use is evidently -limited to turning up the earth. Their muzzle is more or less elongated -to afford space for the ample series of lateral teeth; and the strength -of their jaws, as well as the extent of opening between them, is by -this means much diminished. In most of these particulars they exhibit -a striking contrast with the more perfect of the carnivorous races, -and afford grounds for expecting an equally manifest falling off from -their ferocious and sanguinary propensities. The dogs are in fact by no -means equally carnivorous with the cats; and their teeth, especially the -grinders, are fitted as well for the demolition of vegetable as of animal -substances. - -In a wild state, however, they subsist themselves principally by preying -upon the inferior animals, feeding with nearly equal relish upon the warm -and palpitating fibres of a fresh and almost living victim, and upon the -mangled carcass which taints the air with its unsavoury exhalations. -Their habitation is in the depths of the forest, where the larger -species form themselves dens in the close and thick underwood, while -the smaller burrow in the earth for shelter. Their lengthened muzzle -and the great extent to which all the cavities connected with the nose -are dilated, are admirably fitted for giving to the organ of smell the -fullest developement of which it is capable. It is the perfection of this -organ, combined with the general lightness and muscularity of their frame -and the firm agility of their elongated limbs, which renders many of the -species such excellent hunters, by enabling them to scent their prey at -an immense and sometimes almost incredible distance, and to run it down -in the chase with indefatigable swiftness and unrelaxing pertinacity. - -The very terms of the specific character by which Linnæus attempted -to distinguish the domesticated from the other dogs, “the tail curved -upwards (towards the left),” may be regarded as affording in themselves -a sufficient proof of the difficulty of the task, when so great a -naturalist, after taking a complete review of all the particulars of -their organization, was compelled to rest contented with a distinction -drawn from so trifling and apparently insignificant a remark. It would -in fact appear to be absolutely impossible to offer in any form of words -whatever a character sufficiently comprehensive to combine the almost -infinite varieties of this Protean race, and at the same time to separate -them from those other races from which they are generally believed to be -specifically distinct. To this observation of Linnæus almost the sole -addition that has been made by later zoologists consists in a remark of -M. Desmarest, that whenever a spot of white is found upon any part of -the tail of a domestic dog, the tip of that very variable organ is also -constantly white; so that we are still driven to recur to the tail alone -for the only uniform physical characteristics that have been pointed out -to distinguish an animal, which every one recognises at first sight, and -which indeed it is impossible to mistake. - -But it is to the moral and intellectual faculties of the Dog that we -must look for those remarkable peculiarities which distinguish him in so -eminent a degree not only from his immediate neighbours, but also from -every other quadruped. Unfortunately we have not the means of comparing -him in a pure state of nature with the other animals of his tribe; for -although it has been repeatedly attempted to determine his primitive -stock, there can be no doubt that upon this point we are still as much as -ever in the dark. There exist, however, in various parts of the world, -considerable numbers of Dogs, the descendants unquestionably of races -formerly domesticated, which, to all appearance, differ but little in -their habits and manners from the Wolf and the Jackal, to one or other -of which they frequently approach in form, and from each of which it -has been confidently asserted that the domestic species was primarily -derived. But the doubts to which this striking similarity might otherwise -give rise are instantly removed by the readiness with which these wild -Dogs submit to the control of man, and become familiarized with that -state of servitude to which nature appears to have destined them from -the first. Other animals may indeed be tamed; they may become playful, -familiar, and even affectionate; but none of them have hitherto been -taught, even by long-continued training, to exhibit qualities of mind -in any degree comparable to the absolute subserviency, the undeviating -attachment, the submissive docility, and the acute intelligence, which -these invaluable animals almost spontaneously manifest, when placed in -circumstances favourable to their developement. - -So much has been written by authors of every description, from the -earliest ages down to the present time, upon every point connected with -their history and habits, and the space which we could devote to their -illustration in the present volume is so small, that we choose rather -not to enter at all upon the subject than to treat of it in the very -abrupt and imperfect manner to which we should necessarily be restricted. -It only remains therefore to add a few observations relative to the -extremely beautiful leash of hounds which are figured at the head of the -present article, before passing to the consideration of the remaining -species of the group which are at present contained in the Menagerie. - -These are two males and one female, belonging to the most elegant as -well as the most intelligent variety of the species, that to which -Linnæus, on account of the high degree to which the latter quality was -carried in them, gave _par excellence_ the epithet of _sagax_. They -were presented by Major, now Colonel Denham, on his return from the -most successful expedition that has perhaps ever been made into the -evil-omened regions of Central Africa, from whence they were brought by -that gallant traveller, who also gave Mr. Cops the following account of -their qualifications for the chase. He had repeatedly, he said, made use -of them in hunting the Gazelle, in their pursuit of which he had observed -that they displayed more cunning and sagacity than any dogs with which -he was acquainted, frequently quitting the line of scent for the purpose -of cutting off a double, and recovering it again with the greatest -facility. They would follow a scent after an hour and a half or even -two hours had elapsed; and the breed was therefore commonly employed in -Africa for the purpose of tracing a flying enemy to his retreat. They are -in fact, both for symmetry and action, perfect models; and there are few -sportsmen who will not regret that there appears no chance of crossing -our own pointers with this interesting breed. A mixed race, combining the -qualifications of both, would unquestionably be one of the most valuable -acquisitions to our sporting stock; but, unhappily, this union seems to -be altogether hopeless; for although they have now been more than three -years in England, and are in excellent health and condition, they appear, -like many other animals restrained of their liberty and kept constantly -together, to have no disposition to perpetuate their race. The males are -remarkably good tempered; the female on the contrary is surly and ill -natured. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE WOLF. - -_CANIS LUPUS._ LINN. - - -This sullen and forbidding-looking animal, the most ravenous and -ferocious that infests the more temperate regions of the earth, of many -parts of which he is the terror and the scourge, is distinguished from -the humble, generous, and faithful friend of man, the domestic dog, by -no very remarkable or striking character; and yet there is something -in his physiognomy, gait, and habit, which is at once so peculiar and -so repulsive, that it would be almost impossible to confound a Wolf, -however tame, with the most savage and the most wolflike of dogs. For the -separation of the two species, Linnæus, as we have seen in the preceding -article, had recourse to the tail; and having determined that that of -the dog was uniformly curved upwards, he attributed to that of the Wolf -a completely opposite direction, that is to say, a curvature inwards; -assigning, at the same time, a straight or a deflected position to those -of all the other animals of the group. The deflected, or down-pointing, -direction is, however, equally common in the Wolf with the incurved; -and this petty distinction, which has little to do with structure, and -still less with habits, is hardly deserving of serious attention. More -obvious and more essential differences will be found in the cast of his -countenance, which derives a peculiar expression from the obliquity -of his eyes; in the breadth of his head, suddenly contracting into a -slender and pointed muzzle; in the size and power of his teeth, which -are comparatively greater than those of any dog of equal stature; in the -stiffness and want of pliability of his limbs; in his uniformly straight -and pointed ears; and in a black stripe which almost constantly, and in -nearly every variety of the species, occupies the front of the fore leg -of the adult. His fur, which differs considerably in texture and colour, -from the influence of climate and of seasons, is commonly of a grayish -yellow, the shades of which are variously intermingled; as he advances in -age it becomes lighter, and in high northern latitudes frequently turns -completely white, a change which also takes place in many other animals -inhabiting the polar regions. - -Entirely dependent upon rapine for his subsistence, the nose of the Wolf -is fully equal to that of the sharpest-scented hound. The size and speed -of the elk and of the stag are insufficient to protect them from his -violence; he pursues them with equal swiftness and cunning, and, when he -has succeeded in running them down, finds little difficulty in rendering -them his prey. To effect this purpose with the greater certainty he -frequently unites himself with a numerous train of his fellows, who are -however bound together by no other tie than the common object of their -pursuit; and when this is once attained immediately separate and proceed -each to his own retreat, whence they again emerge to reunite in the -common cause whenever the necessary stimulus is supplied. In inhabited -countries he seldom ventures to show himself openly or in packs, but -sleeps away the greater part of the day in the shelter of the forest, -and only prowls abroad by night when impelled by the cravings of his -appetite. The sheep-cote and the farm-yard become then the scenes of his -ravages; and such is his ingenuity, and so great the rapidity of his -motions, that he will frequently carry off his prey almost before the -eyes of the shepherd, although the warning voice of the watchful dog had -given timely notice of the approach of the marauder. His ferocity is -sometimes carried to such a pitch that he becomes dangerous to man; and -when hard pressed by famine, to which in spite of all his skill in the -chase and his sagacity in the pursuit of meaner rapine he is by no means -a stranger, he will fall at unawares upon the solitary and unprotected -traveller, or, prowling about the habitation of the villager, carry off -from it his unsuspecting and defenceless children. - -Happily for England this formidable beast has long been extirpated from -its woods; but the comparative extent of his domain has been thereby but -little reduced. It may be roughly stated as comprehending the whole -northern hemisphere, of which only very small portions are exempted from -his ravages. He is easily tamed when young, and may even (according to -M. F. Cuvier, who has published a history of a domesticated individual -bordering in many particulars very closely on the marvellous, but of the -truth of which the well known character of that scientific naturalist is -a sufficient guarantee) be rendered susceptible of the highest degree -of attachment to his master, whom he will remember after prolonged and -repeated absence, and caress with all the familiar fondness of a dog. -Such traits as this are, however, to say the least, very uncommon; and -he is, even in captivity, generally speaking, ill tempered and morose. -The old male, the father of the litter now in the Tower, was extremely -savage; the female, on the contrary, is very tame, and, which is more -remarkable, continued so even during the period of suckling her young, -which were five in number. Neither before, at, nor after this period did -her temper undergo any change: she suffered her keepers to handle her -cubs, of which she was excessively fond, and even to remove them from the -den, without evincing the smallest symptom either of anger or alarm. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE CLOUDED BLACK WOLF. - -_CANIS NUBILUS._ SAY. - - -To distinguish between the numerous races of Wolves which are scattered -more or less abundantly over nearly the entire surface of the earth; -to determine that such and such variations are the result of original -formation, and that such and such others are merely the product of -accidental circumstances; in other words, to establish clear and -tangible grounds of specific distinction between animals so varied in -external appearance, but corresponding so perfectly in every essential -particular, while the shades of character by which they differ, although -in many cases strikingly marked, are for the most part so unimportant, -or so little permanent, as scarcely to be deserving of notice,--is -unquestionably one of the most difficult problems, to the solution of -which the zoologist has to apply himself. - -In internal and anatomical structure, on which modern naturalists are -agreed that the greatest reliance ought to be placed in the distinction -of closely approximating species, there is in the various races of -Wolves no deviation from the common type of sufficient importance to -warrant their separation from each other; neither does their outward -form, excepting only in size and in the comparative measurement of -parts, differ in any remarkable degree. In colour it is true that the -most striking variations are observable, their hair exhibiting almost -every intermediate shade between the opposite extremes of black and -white. But it must be obvious that on this character, taken by itself, -it would be absurd to insist as a ground of specific distinction, when -we reflect on the influence which climate and other external accidents -must necessarily exercise on animals so extensively dispersed, and so -variously circumstanced. - -There are, however, strong grounds for believing that the fine pair of -animals, whose portraits are prefixed to the present article, exhibit -real and substantial marks of distinction of sufficient value to sanction -their separation from the other species. Considerably larger and more -robust than the Common Wolf, and differing greatly in the expression -of their physiognomy, neither in figure nor in countenance are they -remarkable for that starved and gaunt appearance which is the common -and well known attribute of the latter. In fact, they have altogether -a more fierce and formidable, but at the same time a more noble and -less sinister, aspect. Their hair, which is of considerable length, -especially along the middle of the back and shoulders, where it forms a -sort of indistinct and scattered mane, is mottled with various shades -of black, gray, and white, giving to the whole animal that dark and -clouded colour which constitutes one of its most peculiar and striking -characteristics. The colouring, which, on the upper parts of the body, -is deep black, becomes somewhat lighter on the sides, and assumes a yet -lighter shade beneath: the chin and angles of the mouth are nearly white; -the gray tinge predominating over the darker shades in various other -parts, but by no means in so regular a manner as to merit a particular -description. The ears are remarkably short; and the tail is also somewhat -shorter in proportion than that of the common wolf, not reaching, in its -solid form, beneath the posterior bend (which in all these animals is -formed by the heel) of the hind legs. - -The animals at present in the Tower, the only individuals of this -species that have been brought alive to Europe, were presented about -four years since by the Hudson’s Bay Company, by some of whose hunters -they had been trapped in the northern regions of America. A fine skin -of the same species was brought home by the late overland expedition to -those countries, under the command of Captain Franklin, and presented -to the Museum of the Zoological Society. There is also another instance -of its occurrence recorded in the capture of a solitary specimen, in -the Missouri territory, by the party engaged in Major Long’s expedition -from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains. This specimen was accurately -described, in the notes to the published narrative of that expedition, by -Mr. Say, who at once recognised it as a distinct species, and affixed to -it the scientific name which we have adopted without hesitation for these -animals, with the most striking peculiarities of which his description -coincides in every essential particular. - -Their habits in a state of nature are, in all probability, perfectly -similar to those which characterize their immediate neighbours, from -which, in captivity, they differ in no remarkable degree. Like the common -kind, they are exceedingly voracious, tearing their meat and swallowing -it in large gobbets, and afterwards gnawing the bones (for which they -frequently quarrel) with truly wolvish avidity. Although they have been -so long confined, they retain their original ferocity undiminished: a -circumstance, it may be mentioned by the way, which has prevented us -from giving their measurement. Judging, however, from the eye, we may -confidently venture to assert that their size, especially that of the -male, is considerably superior to that of the specimen described by Mr. -Say, which measured about four feet and a quarter from the tip of the -nose to the origin of the tail. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE JACKAL. - -_CANIS AUREUS._ LINN. - - -The Jackal, one of the greatest pests of the countries which he inhabits, -is spread over nearly the whole of Asia and the north of Africa, -occupying in the warmer regions of those continents the place of the -Wolf, of whom in many particulars he may be considered as offering a -miniature resemblance. In size he is about equal to the common fox, but -he differs from that equally troublesome animal in the form of the pupils -of his eyes, which correspond with those of the dog and of the wolf, in -the comparative shortness of his legs and muzzle, in his less tufted and -bushy tail, and in the peculiar marking of his coat. The colouring of -his back and sides consists of a mixture of gray and black, which is -abruptly and strikingly distinguished from the deep and uniform tawny of -his shoulders, haunches, and legs: his head is nearly of the same mixed -shade with the upper surface of his body, as is also the greater part of -his tail, which latter, however, becomes black towards its extremity; -his neck and throat are whitish, and the under surface of his body is -distinguished by a paler hue. - -Unlike the wolf or the fox, he always associates himself with his species -in numerous troops, which burrow together in the earth, hunt in concert, -and act in conjunction for their mutual defence. These bands not only -prey upon the smaller quadrupeds and domestic poultry, but, emboldened -by their numbers, give chase to and attack the larger animals. They -frequently follow in the train of more noble beasts, and make their meal -off the remains of the carcases which have been half devoured by the Lion -or the Tiger. When taken they become almost immediately tame and docile; -offering no resistance and evincing no signs of ferocity. The specimen in -the Tower is remarkably quiet; it is a male, and has been a resident for -upwards of three years. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE CIVET, OR MUSK CAT. - -_VIVERRA CIVETTA._ LINN. - - -The group of animals to which we have next to turn our attention is -perhaps the most puzzling, and certainly the least understood, among -the true Carnivora; hence there exists no little difficulty in defining -its limits and distinguishing the species which compose it. Under the -generic name of Viverra, Linnæus comprehended a series, or, to speak -more properly, a congeries, of quadrupeds, differing from each other -so remarkably in form, in structure, and in habits, as to render -it absolutely impossible to find characters by which they might be -circumscribed and isolated from their fellows. His definition of the -genus therefore, although purposely expressed in terms the most vague -and indistinct, neither excludes such animals as from their obvious -affinities he could not refrain from referring to other groups, nor -includes full one half of the species which he has arranged beneath -it. The Ichneumon of the Nile, the Suricate of the Cape, the Coati -of South America, the Stinking Weasels of the North, the Civet of -Barbary, the Genette of the East, the Ratel of South Africa, and others -equally distant in affinity, were sweepingly compelled into this -ample receptacle, which was converted into a genuine “refuge for the -houseless,” in which every carnivorous quadruped, known, unknown, or -imperfectly known, that appeared to be without a place elsewhere, was -charitably afforded a temporary asylum. - -In this arrangement, which brought animals truly digitigrade, with -retractile claws, tongues covered with sharp papillæ, canine teeth of -great power, and molars formed for tearing flesh, consequently in a -high degree sanguinary and carnivorous in their habits, into close and -intimate contact with others, which are positively plantigrade, with -exserted claws, smooth tongues, and teeth of little power and evidently -incapable of lacerating animal food, and which are therefore in all cases -more or less, and in several instances wholly, vegetable eaters, it -was impossible for naturalists long to coincide. The genus thus formed -presented so heterogeneous a combination, that the difficulty was rather -where to stop in the dispersion of the dissimilar materials of which it -was composed, than where to commence the necessary operation; and in -consequence nearly a dozen genera, not hanging together in one continued -series, but scattered through various parts of the system, and most of -them essentially distinct, have been the result of the dismemberment of -this single group. - -The true Civets, to which the genus Viverra is now restricted, yield in -the extent of their carnivorous propensities to the cats alone, whom they -approach very closely in many points of their zoological character, as -well as in their predatory, sanguinary, and nocturnal habits. In addition -to the six incisors and two canines, which are common to the whole of the -true Carnivora, they have on each side and in each jaw six molars, one -of which is peculiarly adapted for lacerating flesh, while the rest are -more or less of the ordinary form. Their tongues are furnished with the -same elevated and pointed papillæ which give so remarkable an asperity -to those of the cats; and their claws are half retractile. The toes are -five in number on each of the feet, and their extremities alone are -applied to the ground in walking; the animals are consequently completely -digitigrade. But the most distinctive character of the group consists in -an opening near the tail, leading into a double cavity of considerable -size, furnished with glands and follicles for the secretion of the -peculiar odoriferous substance so well known as the produce of the Civet, -and from which the animal derives his name. - -The present species is from two to three feet in length, exclusive of the -tail, which is nearly half as much more; and stands from ten to twelve -inches high. His body, which is more elongated in its form than that of -any of the animals hitherto described, is covered with long hair, the -ground colour of which is of a brownish gray intermingled with numerous -transverse interrupted bands or irregular spots of black. A series of -longer hairs of the latter colour occupy the middle line of the back, -from between the shoulders to the extremity of the tail, and form a -kind of mane, which may be raised or depressed at pleasure. The legs and -greater part of the tail are perfectly black, and the upper lip and sides -of the neck nearly white. A large patch of black surrounds each eye, and -passes from it to the angle of the mouth; and two or three other bands -of the same colour pass obliquely from the base of the ears towards the -shoulder and neck, the latter of which is marked by a broad black patch. - -In his natural habits the Civet closely resembles the fox and the less -powerful species of cats, subsisting by rapine, and attacking the birds -and smaller quadrupeds, which form his principal food, rather by night -and by surprise than by open force and in the face of day: reduced to a -state of captivity, he becomes moderately tame, but not sufficiently so -to allow himself to be handled with impunity. In many parts of Northern -Africa large numbers of them are kept for the purpose of obtaining their -perfume, which bears a high price and is much esteemed. The individual -sketched above is a male of large size, and remarkable for never having -deposited any of the perfume, although for more than twelve months an -inhabitant of the Menagerie. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE JAVANESE CIVET. - -_VIVERRA RASSE._ HORSF. - - -The present species is remarkably distinct from the preceding both in -form and colour. Its ground is of a much lighter gray, on which it offers -a broad longitudinal dorsal line of black, and two or three narrower ones -of the same colour on each side, composed of confluent spots. These spots -are also thickly but somewhat irregularly scattered over the rest of the -body, and may be considered as forming a series of flexuous dotted lines. -The legs are black externally; and the head is grayish and without spots. -A deep longitudinal black line occupies the side of the neck above, and a -second more oblique is placed below. The body, which is from fifteen to -eighteen inches in length, is narrow and compressed, and more elevated -behind than before; the back is strongly arched. The line of the profile -is perfectly straight, the muzzle narrow and tapering, and the ears -short and rounded. The tail is of equal length with the body, and tapers -gradually to the tip; it is marked with eight or nine broad rings of -black, alternating with an equal number of grayish. - -Like the other animals of its group, its habits are predatory; in -confinement it retains much of its original ferocity, and is extremely -spiteful and savage. The two individuals from which our figure was taken -have inhabited the Menagerie for nearly twelve months; they are both -males, and occupy different dens. They are fed, like the preceding, and -indeed like all the carnivorous quadrupeds which it remains to mention, -on a mixture of vegetable and animal food; and deposit large quantities -of civet, which strongly impregnates the air of the apartment in which -they are kept. This perfume is highly esteemed by the Javanese, who -apply it not only to their dresses, but also to their persons. Even the -apartments and furniture of the natives of rank are generally scented -with it to such a degree as to be offensive to Europeans. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE GRAY ICHNEUMON. - -_ICHNEUMON GRISEUS._ GEOFF. - - -From the Civets, to which it closely approaches in the number and in some -degree also in the form of its teeth, in the asperity of its tongue, and -in the semi-retractility of its claws, the group of which the Egyptian -Ichneumon forms the type is distinguished by its narrower and more -pointed muzzle, by the shortness of its lower lip, and more especially by -the absence of the double cavity beneath the tail, which is replaced by -a single pouch of considerable size, but destitute of secreting glands. -Their hair is long, crisp, brittle, and always more or less variegated in -colour, in consequence of each separate hair being marked by alternate -rings of different shades. - -The colour of the species now before us, which is a native of India, -is a pale gray, the hairs being for the most part of a dirty yellowish -white, relieved towards their extremities by narrow rings of brown. The -head and limbs are darker than the rest of the body. - -The habits of the Ichneumons are very similar to those of the ferret. -In the localities where they abound, their sanguinary disposition and -predatory inclinations render them a real pest to the farm-yard, to -which they pay their nocturnal visits for the purpose of destroying -the poultry. They also make war upon rats, birds, and reptiles, and -devour the eggs of the latter with the greatest avidity. Endowed with a -remarkable degree of courage in proportion to their size, they do not -hesitate to attack any animal that is not obviously more than a match for -them. Even in captivity they retain much of their native spirit; and so -great is their activity and determination that the individual now in the -Tower actually on one occasion killed no fewer than a dozen full grown -rats, which were loosed to it in a room sixteen feet square, in less than -a minute and a half. They are very easily tamed, become attached to those -with whom they are familiar and to the house in which they live, and will -follow their master about almost like a dog. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE PARADOXURUS. - -_PARADOXURUS TYPUS._ F. CUV. - - -Although the division of the true Carnivora into digitigrade and -plantigrade is in many respects objectionable, we feel compelled, in -conformity with established rules, to remove the animal before us from -its most obvious affinities, to arrange it among the latter; placing -it, however, at the commencement of that division and nearly in contact -with the viverrine groups, to which it is so intimately allied, as to -have been actually confounded by Buffon with the common Genette; a -mistake, which was first clearly pointed out by M. F. Cuvier, but which -has obtained so generally among naturalists, that the Paradoxurus is -still commonly exhibited under that erroneous name. From the Genettes -and Civets it differs little in its general form and habits; its teeth -are nearly similar; and its toes and nails closely correspond in number -and in their degree of retractility. But it is entirely destitute of the -secretory pouch; and, in addition to its plantigrade walk, it exhibits a -very peculiar structure in the tail. This organ is as long as the body, -and flattened above and below; when extended, the further half is turned -over so as to place its lower side uppermost, and the animal has it in -its power to roll it up into a spire, commencing from above downwards, to -the very base. - -The colour of the species varies in different lights: in general it may -be described as grayish black, with a tinge of yellow. On this ground it -is marked with one broad dorsal, and on each side two or three narrower, -indistinct black lines. The under jaw, the legs, and the greater part of -the tail are entirely black; and there is a whitish spot above and under -each of its eyes. - -India and the larger Asiatic Islands appear to be its native country; but -nothing certain is known of its habits in a state of nature: in captivity -it is sullen and irascible, and evinces no affection for its keeper, -appearing in fact totally insensible to the attentions which it receives. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BROWN COATI. - -_NASUA NARICA._ F. CUV. - - -The characters of the genus to which this curious little animal belongs -resemble so closely in the most important particulars those of the other -plantigrade Carnivora, that it will here be sufficient to explain those -points alone in which the Coatis differ from their immediate affinities. -From the Bears they are essentially distinguished by the general form -of their body, which in some measure approaches that of the viverrine -group; by their physiognomy, which is altogether peculiar, and by their -elongated tail, which is nearly equal in length to their body. From the -Racoons their generally lengthened form, and especially that of the -snout, which is in fact their most obvious and striking characteristic, -are fully sufficient to distinguish them. In the Coatis this organ is -produced in a most remarkable degree; and it is terminated by a muzzle so -extremely flexible that, when the attention of the animal is excited, it -is kept in constant action and moved about in all directions. - -The Coatis are barely equal in size to the common fox: they inhabit the -woods of South America, and live upon fruits, insects, and reptiles, -climbing trees in pursuit of their prey with great agility. In captivity -they are easily tamed, and are fond of being caressed; but exhibit no -peculiar symptoms of attachment. - -Three supposed species have been described; but naturalists in general -are at present inclined to admit of no more than two; and even with -regard to these we have yet no sufficient proof that they are really more -than strongly marked varieties. The one from which our figure was taken -belongs to the brown kind, which is distinguished from the other chiefly -by its darker colour both above and below, and by the blackness of the -sides of its snout. The tails of both species are usually encircled by -rings alternately black and fulvous; and each has the eye surrounded by -three white spots. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE RACOON. - -_PROCYON LOTOR._ CUV. - - -Larger in size and more robust in stature than the Coatis, and -approximating still more closely in their physical characters to the -Bears, which may be considered as the typical group of the plantigrade -Carnivora, the Racoons naturally occupy an intermediate station between -the playful, timid, and harmless little creatures just noticed, and -the powerful, clumsy, and dangerous animals next to be described. Like -both Bears and Coatis they have in each jaw six sharp incisors, two -strong canines, and twelve cheek teeth, six on each side. But these -latter differ from those of the Bears, inasmuch as the whole six form a -regular series, the three anterior ones of which are small and pointed, -and the three posterior broad and surmounted by prominent and blunted -tubercles; while in the Bears the three anterior appear rather to form -a supplemental appendage, being placed irregularly and at unequal -distances, and not unfrequently falling out altogether as the animal -advances in age: the tubercles on the crowns of the posterior ones are -also much less strongly marked. The Coatis exhibit nearly the same mode -of dentition as the Racoons; but striking marks of distinction between -them are afforded by the comparative length of the tail, which in the -latter is scarcely half as long as the body; and by that of the snout, -which, instead of being prolonged into an extensible muzzle, capable -of being moved about in all directions, as in the Coatis, is scarcely -produced beyond the lower lip, and has very little motion. The strongly -marked difference in physiognomy arising from this circumstance is -increased by the width of the head posteriorly, which is so great as to -give to the general outline of the face of the Racoons the form of a -nearly equilateral triangle. Their ears are of moderate length, upright -and rounded at the tip; their legs strikingly contrast in their slender -and graceful form with the strong and muscular limbs of the Bears; and -their nails, five in number on each of the feet, are long, pointed, and -of considerable strength. The whole body is clothed with long, thick, and -soft hair; and its general shape, notwithstanding its intimate connexion -with the Bears, and its short and thickset proportions, is not without a -certain degree of elegance and lightness. - -The Racoons are natives of America, and the species which has been most -frequently observed by naturalists, and which we are now to describe, is -most frequent in the northern division of that continent. Indeed it may -admit of doubt whether it ever advances further south than the Isthmus -of Darien, the animal described by M. D’Azara as identical with it being -evidently a distinct species. Its fur is usually of a deep grayish black, -resulting from the intermixture of those two colours in successive rings -on each individual hair. The shades of colour vary on different parts -of the body, and are as usual much lighter below and on the inside of -the legs. The face, which is nearly white, is surrounded by a black band -of unequal breadth, passing across the forehead, encircling the eyes, -and descending obliquely on each side towards the angle of the jaw. The -whiskers are of moderate length; and the hair of the face generally, as -well as of the legs, is short and smooth. The tail, which is thick at -the base, tapering gradually to the tip, and covered with long hairs, -has five or six brownish rings, alternating with an equal number of the -lighter colour which is prevalent on the lower parts of the body. - -All that we know of their habits in a state of nature may be comprehended -in the single fact, that, in addition to the vegetable substances, -and more particularly fruits, which form the principal part of their -subsistence, they feed on the eggs of birds, and even on the birds -themselves, their agility and the structure of their claws affording -them the means of reaching the tops of the tallest trees with quickness -and facility. In captivity they are easily tamed, and even appear -susceptible of some degree of attachment; but they never entirely lose -their sentiment of independence, and are consequently incapable of -complete domestication. When placed under a certain degree of restraint -they appear contented and happy, are fond of play, and take pleasure -in the caresses of their friends, and even of strangers; but however -long this kind of domestication may have continued, and how much soever -they may seem reconciled to their confinement, the moment the restraint -is withdrawn and they feel themselves again at liberty, the love of -freedom prevails over every other consideration, and they become as wild -as if they had never been reclaimed. In eating, they commonly support -themselves on their hind legs, and carry their food to the mouth between -their fore paws, having first plunged it in water, if the liquid element, -of which they are remarkably fond, is within reach. This singular -peculiarity, the object of which is not very obvious, but from which -the animal derives his specific name, does not, however, appear to be -constant and uniform, being frequently entirely neglected. The same may -be said of their fondness for shell-fish and mollusca, for which they -are generally stated to have a great partiality; some of them, like -the handsome pair now living in the Menagerie, displaying the greatest -address and dexterity in opening the shell of an oyster, and extracting -its contents, while others absolutely refuse to touch it. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. - -_URSUS AMERICANUS._ PALLAS. - - -We have now arrived at the closing group of the true Carnivora; a group -which, although less sanguinary in its habits than almost any of those -which we have hitherto had occasion to notice, and endowed by nature with -a capacity of subsisting entirely on vegetable substances, comprehends -nevertheless, among the closely allied species of which it is composed, -not merely the largest, but even some of the most formidable, of the -carnivorous Mammalia. - -Both in outward shape and internal characters, these clumsy, sluggish, -and uncouth animals offer a perfect contrast to the light, active, -and elegant forms of the tribe with which we commenced our series. -Instead of the compressed and lengthened body, with its soft, sleek, -and variegated covering, and the long and graceful tail by which it -is terminated, we have a broad, awkward, and thickset figure, covered -with a rough, shaggy, and unattractive fur, and ending in a scarcely -visible appendage, serving neither for ornament nor use. The difference -in gait and motion is as remarkable as that of shape; for while the one -glides gently along, as it were on tiptoe, or bounds onwards with the -velocity of thought, the other appears to be oppressed by the weight -of his ponderous and unwieldy bulk, and supporting himself on the full -expansion of his dilated paws, scarcely moves without the semblance of -an effort. The short and rounded jaws of the cats, with their close and -regular series of powerful cutting and lacerating teeth, and their rough -and rasplike tongue, are supplied by a broad and lengthened snout, teeth -of a character totally different in almost every essential point, and a -soft, smooth, and extensible tongue. The claws too, which in the cats are -strongly curved, exceedingly sharp at their edges, tapering gradually -to a fine point, and capable of being entirely retracted within their -sheaths, are here indeed of great power, and sometimes even considerably -arched, but rounded in their surfaces, more or less blunted at their -extremities, and constantly protruded to their full extent. In this -manner might the contrast be pursued through almost every organ; but our -limits warn us that we must at once proceed to the enumeration of the -essential characters which combine the Bears into a well marked group. - -These characters are derived, first, from their completely plantigrade -walk, the whole sole being at all times closely applied to the surface -on which they tread; secondly, from their claws, of which they have five -on each foot; thirdly, from the extreme shortness of their tail; and -lastly, from the form and arrangement of their teeth. These consist of -the usual number of incisors and canines, the latter being in general -very robust, and of a series of molars, which, when complete, amount -to six on each side in each jaw; the posterior three having flat and -expanded surfaces surmounted by broad and blunted tubercles, and lying -closely in contact with each other. Between them and the canines exists a -considerable space, which is or should be occupied by three smaller and -obtusely pointed teeth; but this number is seldom found entire, one or -more of them being generally absent, and the series being thus rendered -incomplete. - -The Black Bear of America is distinguished from his fellows, and more -especially from the brown bear of Europe, which he approaches most nearly -in size and form, by few very striking external differences, except the -colour of his fur. His forehead has a slight elevation; his muzzle is -elongated, and somewhat flattened above; and his hair, though long and -straight, has less shagginess than that of most of the other species of -the group. In colour it is of a uniform shining jet-black, except on the -muzzle, where it is short and fawn-coloured, becoming almost gray on the -lips and sides of the mouth. This, however, it should be observed, is the -character only of the full-grown animal: the young are first of a bright -ash colour, which gradually changes to a deep brown, and finally fixes -in the glossy black tint of mature age. - -The habits and manners of the Black Bear resemble those of the brown -almost as closely as his physical characters. In a state of nature he -seeks the recesses of the forest, and passes his solitary life in wild -and uncultivated deserts, far from the society of man, and avoiding -even that of the animal creation. His usual food consists of the young -shoots of vegetables, of their roots, which he digs up with his strong -and arcuated claws, and of their fruits, which he obtains by means -of the facility with which the same organs enable him to climb the -loftiest trees. He possesses indeed the faculty of climbing in a most -extraordinary degree, and frequently exercises it in the pursuit of -honey, of which he is passionately fond. When all these resources fail -him, he will attack the smaller quadrupeds, and sometimes even animals -of considerable size; familiarity with danger diminishing his natural -timidity, and the use of flesh begetting a taste for its continued -enjoyment. He is also said, like the Polar Bear, to have a peculiar -fondness for fish, and is frequently met with on the borders of lakes and -on the coast of the sea, to which he has resorted for the gratification -of this appetite. Notwithstanding his apparent clumsiness, he swims with -the greatest dexterity, the excessive quantity of fat with which he is -loaded serving to buoy him up in the water; in this way he frequently -crosses the broadest rivers, or even very considerable arms of the sea. - -The entire continent of North America, or perhaps it might be more -correct to say, that immense portion of its surface which still remains -uncultivated and desolate, furnishes an abode to this species of bear, -which is consequently as widely dispersed as any of his tribe. As his -fur is of some value in commerce, although not so much sought after at -the present day as it was formerly, his race has become an object of the -cupidity of man, by whom they are frequently hunted for the sake of their -skins. This chase is principally followed by the Indians, who are also -attracted by the flavour of his flesh, of which, and especially of the -fat, they partake with an avidity truly disgusting. Travellers, however, -who have been reduced to the necessity of having recourse to this sort -of food, speak of it as by no means despicable: the fat yields moreover -a quantity of oil, which is often extremely serviceable. The Indians -will sometimes attack these animals single-handed; and if they can -manage to keep beyond the reach of their powerful grasp, which is almost -irresistible, are sure of gaining the victory; as the bears, in the -rampant posture which they always assume in self-defence, unconsciously -expose their most vulnerable parts to the attack of the hunter. Snares -are sometimes laid for them; but these are most frequently unsuccessful; -that extreme caution, which is so strongly portrayed in their actions -and demeanour, rendering them mistrustful of every thing. Nevertheless -their gluttony will sometimes get the better of their prudence, and the -bait of honey offers too tempting an allurement to be always resisted. -At other times a whole tribe of Indians will assemble for the chase, -and after having performed a variety of superstitious observances, beat -the entire country for their game, drive a great number of them into -a spot selected for the purpose, and deal forth upon them wholesale -destruction. They will also trace them to their retreats in the season of -their lethargy, which occupies several of the winter months, and during -which the bears are incapable of offering any effectual resistance. - -In captivity the Black Bear is distinguished from the brown only by -the less degree of docility and intelligence which he evinces: and the -habits of the latter are so universally known that it would be useless to -dwell upon them here. The specimen figured at the head of this article -was presented to the Menagerie, in 1824, by Sir George Alderson, and -is remarkably tame and playful. He has, until very lately, shared his -den with the Hyæna, with whom he maintained a very good correspondence, -except at meal-times, when they would frequently quarrel, in a very -ludicrous manner, for a piece of beef, or whatever else might happen to -furnish a bone of contention between them. The Hyæna, though by far the -smallest of the two, was generally master; and the Bear would moan most -piteously, and in a tone somewhat resembling the bleating of a sheep, -while his companion quietly consumed the remainder of his dinner. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE GRIZZLY BEAR. - -_URSUS FEROX._ LEWIS AND CLARKE. - - -A native also of the northern division of America, and more particularly -of that extensive tract of country which constitutes the newly erected -State of Missouri, the Grizzly Bear differs in many striking points, both -of character and habits, from the subject of the preceding article, as -well as from every other animal of the very natural group of which he -forms part. By his elongated, narrowed, and flattened muzzle, added to -the slight elevation of his forehead, he is closely connected with the -Black Bear of America, and as remarkably distinguished from the common -Brown Bear of Europe, and from the White Bear of the polar regions, which -last, in size and general form, offers perhaps the nearest approximation -to the present species. But his enormous magnitude, which may be stated -as averaging twice the bulk of the Black Bear; the greatly increased -size and power of his canine teeth; and, above all, the excessive length -of his talons, on the fore feet especially, afford characteristic -differences so obvious and so essential, that it is difficult to conceive -how they could have been so long overlooked by naturalists as well as -travellers, who have all, until within little more than twenty years of -the present time, passed him over without even a casual hint that he -presented any claims to be considered as distinct from the common species -of his country. - -His hair, generally speaking, is longer, finer, and more abundant than -that of the Black Bear, and varies in colour to an almost indefinite -extent, passing through all the intermediate shades between a light gray -and a black brown. The brown tinge is, however, the most common; and it -is always more or less grizzled either by the intermixture of grayish -hairs, or by the brown hairs being tipped with gray. The hair of the legs -and feet is darker and coarser, and diminishes in length as it descends; -on the muzzle it becomes remarkably pale, and is so much shortened as to -give to the animal an appearance of baldness. His eyes are very small -and hardly at all prominent; and the line of the profile is consequently -nearly straight. His tail is scarcely visible, being almost entirely -concealed by the long hairs which surround it. Of the great size of -his feet and talons, some judgment may be formed from the measurements -given by Captains Lewis and Clarke, the first travellers by whom the -Grizzly Bear was accurately described. These gentlemen inform us that -the breadth of the fore foot in one of the individuals observed by them -exceeded nine inches, while the length of his hind foot, exclusive of -the talons, was eleven inches and three quarters, and its breadth seven -inches. The claws of the fore feet of another specimen measured more -than six inches. The latter are considerably longer and less curved than -those of the hind feet, and do not narrow in a lateral direction as they -approach their extremity, but diminish only from beneath: the point -is consequently formed by the shelving of the inferior surface alone, -their breadth remaining the same throughout the whole of their enormous -length, and their power being proportionally increased; an admirable -provision for enabling the animal to exercise to the fullest extent his -propensity for digging up the ground, either in search of food or for -other purposes. It appears, however, on the other hand, to unfit him for -climbing trees, which he never attempts; and this remarkable circumstance -in his habits affords a striking distinction between him and all the -other Bears, which are essentially climbers. - -Of all the quadrupeds which inhabit the northern regions of the American -continent, the Grizzly Bear is unquestionably the most formidable and -the most dreaded. Superior to the rest of his tribe, not excepting even -the polar species, in bulk, in power, in agility, and in the ferocity of -his disposition, it is not to be wondered at that he should be regarded -by the native Indians with an almost superstitious terror, and that -some portion of this feeling should have been communicated even to the -civilized travellers, who have occasionally met with him in the wild and -desolate regions which are subject to his devastations. In the Journals -of some of these travellers we find recorded such astonishing instances -of his strength, ferocity, and extraordinary tenacity of life as would -indeed amaze us, were we not aware how much the human mind is prone, -under certain circumstances, to fall into exaggeration, in many cases -most certainly unintentional. Making, however, all due allowances for the -existence of this very natural feeling, we are bound to acknowledge that -there are few animals who can compete with this terrible beast; and that -to be made the object of his pursuit is an occurrence well calculated to -alarm the stoutest heart, even when provided with the most certain and -deadly weapons of human invention, guided by the most experienced eye, -and directed by the steadiest hand. - -This tremendous animal appears to be most commonly found in the -neighbourhood of the Rocky Mountains, especially on the well wooded -plains which skirt the eastern declivity of that lofty and extensive -range, among thick copses of brush and underwood, and on the banks of -the water-courses which descend in innumerable petty streams from their -sources in the hills. In these wild solitudes, rarely trodden by the -foot of civilized man, and visited only by the savage Indians of the -neighbouring tribes, who have not yet learned to bow the neck beneath -the yoke of the exterminating conqueror, he reigns the almost undisputed -tyrant of the forest. Few among the animals which share with him his -barbarous habitation are fleet enough to escape him in the chase; and -none, when fairly placed within his reach, are powerful enough to -withstand his overwhelming force. Even the sturdy and formidable Bison, -the wild bull of North America, is incapable of offering any effectual -resistance to the furious impetuosity of his attack; and an illustration -of the extent of his muscular power is afforded by the fact that after -having destroyed his victim, he will drag its ponderous carcase to some -convenient spot, where he will dig a pit for its reception, and deposit -it for a season, returning to his feast from time to time as the calls of -hunger may dictate, until his store is exhausted and he is again reduced -to the necessity of looking abroad for a fresh supply. - -But although endowed with so strong a propensity for animal food, as -well as with the power to gratify the appetite thus grafted in his very -nature, he is not, like the more perfect of the carnivorous tribe, left -entirely dependent upon that which, in the climate in which he has -been placed, must of necessity be a precarious, and frequently even -an impossible, source of subsistence. Of a more fierce and sanguinary -temper than the other bears, he does not hesitate to attack whatever -living creature may fall in his way, and man himself seems to inspire him -with little dread: but in the absence of his favourite food, he makes a -less savoury, but equally congenial, meal of vegetable substances, of -fruits, or more commonly of roots, the latter of which he digs up with -the greatest facility with his enormous claws; and in some parts of the -country these more simple productions form almost his sole subsistence. -On the quality of his food depends much of the ferocity of his temper; -for it appears that the bears of the western side of the Rocky Mountains, -who live almost entirely upon vegetables, are of a much less fierce and -savage disposition than their fellows of the eastern side, where animal -food is more abundant and more easily procured. - -Next to his great size and excessive ferocity, one of the most striking -peculiarities of this animal is his extreme tenacity of life. For the -instances of this we are indebted almost wholly to the narrative of the -Travels of Captains Lewis and Clarke, whose statements are no doubt -founded in truth, although it may be suspected that they require to be -received with some grains at least of allowance. According to these -gentlemen one bear which had received five shots in his lungs, and five -other wounds in various parts of his body, swam a considerable distance -to a sand bank in the river, and survived more than twenty minutes; -another that had been shot through the centre of the lungs, pursued at -full speed the man by whom the wound was inflicted for half a mile, then -returned more than twice that distance, dug himself a bed two feet deep -and five feet long, and was perfectly alive two hours after he received -the wound; and a third, although actually shot through the heart, ran -at his usual pace nearly a quarter of a mile before he fell. There is -no chance, they add, of killing him by a single shot, unless the ball -goes directly through the brain; a single hunter runs consequently no -little risk in venturing to attack an animal upon whom the most dangerous -wounds, if not instantaneously fatal, produce no obvious immediate -effects. - -Notwithstanding the horror with which the natives regard this animal, -it is said that they sometimes succeed in rendering him tame; and a -whimsical story is told by the late Governor Clinton, on the authority -of an Indian trader, of an insult offered to a domesticated bear of this -species by an Indian of a different tribe from that to which the master -of the bear belonged, being regarded as a national affront, and producing -a war between the two tribes. The same veracious trader, it should be -added, did not scruple to affirm that the Grizzly Bear had actually been -seen fourteen feet long: the greatest measurement given on any credible -authority being somewhat less than nine feet. It may, however, well be -doubted whether the Grizzly Bear is capable of being domesticated; for it -would appear that all the known attempts that have hitherto been made to -render him docile and obedient have completely failed. In the narrative -of Major Long’s expedition, Mr. Say has given some particulars relative -to the manners of a half-grown individual which was kept chained in the -yard of one of the stations of the Missouri Fur Company; but which, -though far from having attained his full strength, was by no means -trusted even by those who were most familiar with him. They occasionally -ventured to play with him; but this was always done with caution and -reserve; and when, as was sometimes the case, he chanced to break loose -from his confinement, the whole establishment was thrown into a state of -confusion and alarm. The same gentleman also gives the history of two -individuals which were presented when very young to the Philadelphia -Museum, where they were kept for several years confined in a strong cage; -until at length their strength and ferocity, which no kind of treatment -appeared capable of subduing, had reached such a pitch that it was found -absolutely necessary to destroy them. - -In no respect has the subject of the present notice, whose portrait -admirably illustrates the peculiarities of his species, degenerated from -the race of which he appears to be the sole representative in Europe. -He was presented to his late majesty, more than seventeen years ago, -by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and has long been the oldest inhabitant of -the Tower Menagerie. The name of Martin, which was originally bestowed -upon him, in imitation probably of that of the most celebrated bear -ever exhibited in Europe, has consequently been of late years generally -preceded by the epithet of antiquity, and Old Martin has become under -that title almost as well known as his famous namesake. His size is -far superior to that of any other bear that has ever been seen in this -quarter of the globe; and his ferocity, in spite of the length of time -during which he has been a prisoner, and of all the attempts that have -been made to conciliate him, still continues undiminished. He does not -offer the slightest encouragement to familiarity on the part of his -keepers, but treats them with as much distance as the most perfect -strangers; and although he will sometimes appear playful and good -tempered, yet they know him too well to trust themselves within his -clutch. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE THIBET BEAR. - -_URSUS THIBETANUS._ F. CUV. - - -It is with no slight feelings of regret that we find ourselves unable -to furnish a complete and satisfactory account of the animal from whom -the portrait above given was taken. Very soon after the drawing was -completed, and before we had availed ourselves of the opportunity of -making the necessary examination, we were unfortunately precluded from so -doing by his sudden transfer to another country. His likeness alone, and -a faithful and spirited likeness we will venture to pronounce it, remains -with us. From this, and from the very imperfect notes which we possess, -we have little hesitation in referring it provisionally to the species -first established by M. Duvaucel, and since published by M. F. Cuvier -in his splendid Histoire Naturelle des Mammifères. The circumstance, -however, of our animal, the only individual of his species ever seen in -Europe, having been brought from the Island of Sumatra instead of the -continent of India, in which alone the Ursus Thibetanus had hitherto -been discovered, is so remarkable, that we should have felt bound, had -the means still remained open to us, to institute a close and severe -comparison between the living specimen and the figure and description -furnished by M. Duvaucel and M. Cuvier. As it is, we can only repeat -the characters of the Thibet Bear as given by them, and refer to our -figure for all the proof which we have it in our power to offer of its -identity with the present animal. We trust that M. Temminck, or some -other competent naturalist of the country to which the latter has been -conveyed, will amply supply a deficiency which certainly would not have -existed had we received timely notice of the intended transfer. - -M. Duvaucel enumerates three species of bears inhabiting India and the -neighbouring islands. The first of these is the Ursus labiatus, which was -strangely mistaken on its first arrival in Europe, nearly forty years -ago, for a Sloth, and received from the naturalists of that day the name -of Bradypus pentadactylus, or ursinus, the Five-fingered, or Ursine, -Sloth; an appellation which has been productive of no little confusion -in nomenclature, and is still frequently employed in menageries and -exhibitions to distinguish the same animal, and sometimes even nearly -related species. With the true Sloths it has nothing in common; and the -only circumstance which can at all account for the blunder, consists -in the accidental deficiency of the incisor teeth in the animal first -examined; a deficiency, which, according to the strict principles of -the artificial system then adopted, was alone sufficient to convert a -Bear into a Sloth. The second is the Ursus Malayanus, the Malay Bear, -admirably illustrated, both with regard to character and habits, by -the late lamented Sir Stamford Raffles in the thirteenth volume of the -Linnean Transactions. Another species, intimately connected with this, -and unknown to M. Duvaucel, will form the subject of the following -article. In the present we must confine ourselves to his third form, the -Thibet Bear, which, according to his observations, made on the living -animal, is distinguished by the following characteristics. - -In size it is intermediate between the two other species which he -describes. Its most remarkable distinction is derived from the thickness -of its neck and the flatness of its head, its forehead forming almost -a straight line with its muzzle. The latter is moderately thick and -somewhat lengthened; and the ears are very large. The body is compact, -and the limbs heavy; a conformation from which we might be led to infer -great muscular strength, together with a capacity for climbing trees and -performing other feats of a similar description, were it not for the -comparative weakness of the claws, which are scarcely more than half as -long as those of the other Indian bears. Like the latter, its colour -is invariably of a uniform glossy jet-black, except on the lower lip, -which is white; as is also a patch occupying the front of the neck, and -in shape like a Y, the two upper limbs of which pass in front of the -shoulders, while the lower one occupies the middle line of the chest. -The upper part of the muzzle is black, with a slight reddish tint on -the sides; and the edges of the lips flesh-coloured. The hair, which is -smooth on the muzzle, becomes shaggy on the back part of the head, from -the base of the ears downwards, and adds considerably to the apparent -volume of that part, but not quite to the same extent as in the Ursus -labiatus, in old individuals of which it almost touches the ground. It -was found by Dr. Wallich in the mountains of Nepaul, and by M. Duvaucel -in those of Sylhet; and from this limited range the latter gentleman -infers, perhaps a little too hastily, that its habitat is less extensive -than that of its fellows. He also regards it as being more ferocious in -its habits. - -In this latter point alone, so far at least as we can at present judge, -does the animal from which our figure was taken offer any remarkable -discrepancy from the foregoing account. He could never be prevailed -on to touch flesh either raw or cooked; and bread and fruits were the -substances on which he was constantly fed. In his disposition he was -moderately tame, and particularly fond of play, after his own rough and -ludicrous fashion. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BORNEAN BEAR. - -_URSUS (HELARCTOS) EURYSPILUS._ HORSF. - - -Of this very remarkable animal, the only individual of the species ever -seen in Europe, and in fact the only one that has yet fallen under the -notice of zoologists, so complete an account has been published by Dr. -Horsfield, in the second volume of the Zoological Journal, that it would -be presumptuous in us to attempt to add any thing to the masterly details -which are there furnished both of its organization and habits. We shall -therefore in the present instance, and with the less reluctance as the -animal is no longer living for further reference, content ourselves with -abstracting from that paper, as nearly as possible in the words of its -author, the more interesting and prominent features of the history which -is there given of the Bornean Bear; which, in conjunction with another -closely related species, the Ursus Malayanus, Dr. Horsfield has separated -from the other bears under the sub-generic title of Helarctos. - -One of the most striking points on which this distinction is founded -consists in the form of the head, which, instead of being flattened, -as in the more northern species of the group, is nearly hemispherical -above, the forehead rising in a strong arch immediately behind the nose, -which is obtuse and very gradually attenuated. The gape of the mouth is -considerable; and the tongue, which is long, narrow, and very extensile, -is capable of being protruded for nearly a foot, and then curved inwards -in a spiral manner, a habit in which the animal appears frequently to -indulge. In the teeth the difference between this subdivision of the -genus and the rest of the animals which compose it is unessential, the -incisors and canines having no distinguishing characters, and the molars -being apparently subject to the same variations as in the genuine bears. - -The Bornean Bear is perhaps somewhat shorter in his proportions than the -rest of the group, and the great proportional breadth of his head extends -also to the neck and body. The claws are very long, strongly arched, and -very gradually attenuated to the point, which is transversely truncated -and chiefly fitted for digging the earth; but probably also enabling it -to climb with great agility. The fur is short and glistening, somewhat -rigid, but closely applied to the skin, and smooth to the touch. On -the body, head, and extremities, the Bornean Bear has the same pure, -saturated, jet-black tint which is observed in the Malayan. The muzzle, -including the region of the eyes, has a yellowish brown colour; and the -anterior part of the neck is marked by a large broad patch of a more -vivid and nearly orange tint, which is of an irregular quadrangular form, -and deeply notched above. The difference in the form and colour of this -patch constitutes the chief distinction between the present animal and -the Malayan species, in which latter it is crescent-shaped and white. - -The specimen from which this description was taken measured along the -back, from the muzzle to the tail, three feet nine inches. It arrived in -this country about four years ago, and formed until lately one of the -most attractive and interesting spectacles among the animals confined in -the Menagerie. It was brought from Borneo when very young, and during -its passage was the constant associate of a monkey and of several other -young animals. It was thus domesticated in early life, and its manners -in confinement greatly resembled those of the Malayan Bear observed by -Sir Stamford Raffles, to which it was probably not inferior in sagacity -or intellect. It could rest entirely on its posterior feet, and could -even raise itself without difficulty to a nearly erect posture; but was -more generally seen in a sitting attitude at the door of its apartment, -eagerly surveying the visiters and attracting their attention by the -uncouthness of its form and the singularity of its motions. When a -morsel of bread or cake was held at a small distance beyond its reach, -it would expand the lateral aperture of its nostrils and thrust forwards -its upper lip as a proboscis in a most ludicrous manner, at the same -time making use of its paws to seize the object. After obtaining it and -filling its mouth, it would place the remainder with great calmness on -its posterior feet, and bring it in successive portions to its mouth. -When craving for food, and also while consuming it, it emitted a coarse, -but not unpleasant, whining sound, accompanied by a low grunting noise; -but if teased at this time, it would suddenly raise its voice to a -harsh and grating tone. It was excessively voracious, and appeared -disposed to eat almost without cessation; a propensity which finally -cost it its life, having overgorged itself at breakfast one morning in -the course of last summer during the hot weather, and dying within ten -minutes afterwards. This was a severe loss to Mr. Cops, who prized it -highly, and to whom, in return, it was greatly attached. On seeing its -keeper it would often place itself in a variety of attitudes, to court -his attention and caresses, extending its nose and anterior feet, or, -suddenly turning round, exposing its back and waiting for several minutes -in this posture with its head placed on the ground. It delighted in being -patted and rubbed, even by strangers; but violently resented abuse and -ill treatment. Its principal food was bread. - -Our figure was taken from the stuffed skin which is preserved in the -Museum of the Zoological Society. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -MONKEYS. - -_SIMIÆ._ LINN. - - -It may perhaps seem to require some apology that we have ventured so -far to depart from the ordinary system of arrangement as to remove the -Monkeys from the station which they have hitherto usually been permitted -to occupy at the head of the class, and to transfer them to their present -position. We will not attempt to conceal that in so doing we were chiefly -actuated by the desire of placing at the commencement of our series the -largest and most attractive of the animals of which it was composed; -and those which, in a Menagerie like that which we have undertaken to -illustrate, always constitute the most imposing feature. But while we -acknowledge the influence of this feeling to the fullest extent, we -cannot refrain from expressing at the same time our firm conviction that -the carnivorous quadrupeds possess in reality a better title to the place -which we have assigned them, than the Monkeys which we have displaced -to make room for them. The supposed transition from man, on which the -received arrangement is founded, has little to do with the question; -and it would surely require no great subtilty of argument to prove that -the Carnivora are more highly typical of the great class, of which they -form so important a part, than any other tribe whatever. But this is not -the proper place for entering into so abstract a question; to which we -have only referred _en passant_, for the sake of justifying ourselves -upon broader principles for a deviation from established custom, which -we should not have hesitated to adopt, in the present instance, on the -narrow ground of expedience alone. Before, however, we take leave of -it altogether, we cannot avoid asking, why, if the Monkeys are to take -precedence of the Carnivora among Mammalia, the analogous tribe of Birds, -the Pies and the Parrots, should not also rank above the ornithological -representatives of the beasts of prey, the towering Eagle and the -rapacious Vulture? - -To return, however, to our Monkeys; to which, be it observed, we do -not pretend to assign this as a definite position. They form by far -the largest portion of the Quadrumana; all the other animals of that -order being comprehended, or rather confounded, in a distinct family, -under the name of Lemurs, from the rightful owners of which appellation -many of them differ most essentially. In addition to the hands on the -posterior as well as anterior members, with long and flexible fingers -and opposable thumbs, which constitute the primary characters of the -order, the Monkey tribe in general is distinguished by the following -peculiarities. Their incisor teeth are invariably four in each jaw, and -their molars, like those of man, are flat and surmounted by blunted -tubercles. The latter are five in number on each side of either jaw in -all the Monkeys of the Old Continent, and in one very distinct tribe -belonging to the New; but most of the American species are furnished -with a sixth. Their canines vary considerably in size, from a trifling -projection beyond the remaining teeth to a long and powerful tusk, almost -equalling those of the most formidable Carnivora; and from this structure -it necessarily follows that a vacant space is left between the incisors -and the canines of the upper jaw, and between the canines and the molars -of the lower, for the reception and lodgment of those organs when the -mouth is closed. The nails of all their fingers, as well as those of the -thumbs, are invariably flat and expanded. - -In almost every other point they are subject to infinite variations of -form and structure. The shape of the head, which, in one or two species, -offers a close approximation to the human form, passes through numerous -intermediate gradations, until it reaches a point at which it can only be -compared with that of the hound. The body, which is in general slight and -well made, is in some few instances remarkably short and thickset, and -in others drawn out to a surprising degree of tenuity. Their limbs vary -greatly in their proportions; but in most of them the anterior are longer -than the posterior: in all they are admirably adapted to the purposes to -which they are applied, in climbing and leaping, by the slenderness of -their form, the flexibility of their joints, and the muscular activity -with which these qualities are so strikingly combined. But of all their -organs there is perhaps none which exhibits so remarkable a discrepancy -in every particular as the tail; which is entirely wanting in some, forms -a mere tubercle in others, in a third group is short and tapering, in a -fourth of moderate length and cylindrical, in a fifth extremely long but -uniformly covered with hair; in others, again, of equal length, divested -of hair beneath and near the tip, and capable of being twisted round the -branch of a tree or any other similar substance in such a manner as to -support the whole weight of the animal, even without the assistance of -his hands. - -In none of them, it may be observed, are the hands formed for swimming, -or the nails constructed for digging the earth; and in none of them is -the naked callous portion, which corresponds to the sole or the palm, -capable of being applied, like the feet of man or of the bear, to the -flat surfaces on which they may occasionally tread. Even in those which -have the greatest propensity to assume an upright posture, the body -is, under such circumstances, wholly supported by the outer margins of -the posterior hands. The earth, in fact, is not their proper place of -abode; they are essentially inhabitants of trees, and every part of their -organization is admirably fitted for the mode of life to which they were -destined by the hand of nature herself. Throughout the vast forests of -Asia, Africa, and South America, and more especially in those portions -of the three continents which are comprehended within the tropics, -they congregate in numerous troops, bounding rapidly from branch to -branch, and from tree to tree, in search of the fruits and eggs which -constitute their principal means of subsistence. In the course of these -peregrinations, which are frequently executed with a velocity scarcely -to be followed by the eye, they seem to give a momentary, and but a -momentary, attention to every remarkable object that falls in their way, -but never appear to remember it again; for they will examine the same -object with the same rapidity as often as it recurs, and apparently -without in the least recognising it as that which they had seen before. -They pass on a sudden from a state of seeming tranquillity to the most -violent demonstrations of passion and sensuality; and in the course of a -few minutes run through all the various phases of gesture and action of -which they are capable, and for which their peculiar conformation affords -ample scope. The females treat their young with the greatest tenderness -until they become capable of shifting for themselves; when they turn them -loose upon the world, and conduct themselves towards them from that time -forwards in the same manner as towards the most perfect strangers. - -The degrees of their so much vaunted intelligence, which is in general -very limited, and rarely capable of being made subservient to the -purposes of man, vary almost as much as the ever-changing outline of -their form. From the grave and reflective Oran-Otang, whose docility and -powers of imitation in his young state have been the theme of so much -ridiculous exaggeration and sophistical argumentation, to the stupid -and savage Baboon, whose gross brutality is scarcely relieved by a -single spark of intelligence, the gradations are regular and easy. A -remarkable circumstance connected with the developement of this faculty, -or perhaps we should rather say, with its gradual extinction, consists -in the fact that it is only in young animals which have not yet attained -their full growth, that it is capable of being brought into play; the -older individuals, even of the most tractable races, entirely losing the -gaiety, and with it the docility, of their youth, and becoming at length -as stupid and as savage as the most barbarous of the tribe. - -The Monkeys of the Old and of the New World differ from each other in -several remarkable points, some of which are universally characteristic -of all the species of each, while others, although affording good and -tangible means of discrimination, are but partially applicable. Thus -the nostrils of all the species inhabiting the Old World are anterior -like those of man, and divided only by a narrow septum. In those of the -New World, on the contrary, they are invariably separated by a broad -division, and consequently occupy a position more or less lateral. In -the former again the molar teeth are uniformly five in number, crowned -with obtuse and flattened tubercles; while in the latter they are either -six in number, or in the few anomalous cases in which they are limited -to five, and which are peculiar to a group that ought to occupy an -intermediate station between the Monkeys and the Insect-eating Carnivora, -their crowns are surmounted by sharp and somewhat elevated points. The -tails of all the American Monkeys are of great length, but they differ -more or less from each other in the power of suspending themselves by -means of that organ, a faculty which is nevertheless common to the -greater number of them, and of which those of the Old World are entirely -destitute. On the other hand the American species never exhibit any -traces of the callosities or of the cheek-pouches, which are so common -among the Asiatic and African races. - -Each of these grand divisions has been subdivided into several minor -groups or genera; but zoologists have hitherto been by no means unanimous -with respect to the principles on which this subdivision ought to be -effected. The arrangement which appears to be most generally adopted -at the present day is that of M. Cuvier and M. Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, -which is essentially founded on the application of an imaginary rule, -first employed by Camper for ascertaining the degree of intelligence, -and consequently of ideal beauty, expressed by the human face in its -various gradations of elevation or debasement, and called by him the -facial angle. Unfortunately, however, the operations of nature in the -animal creation can never be subjected to geometrical laws; nor can her -innumerable phases be expressed with the precision of a mathematical -theorem. This assumed point of comparison varies almost indefinitely, -not merely in different species, but even in the same individual; and -the Oran-Otang himself, who is supposed to approach most nearly to the -human form, offers the most striking illustration of the truth of this -observation; inasmuch as in his young and intellectual state his facial -angle is equal to 65°, while in his aged and debased condition, in which -he has actually been repeatedly described as a different animal under the -name of Pongo, it sinks below 30°; degrading him even beneath the level -of the most savage and stupid of the Baboons. - -In the foregoing observations we may perhaps be considered as giving -too much space to the generalities of the subject; an objection to -which we can only answer that nearly the whole of our knowledge of the -Monkey tribes consists in generalities. Of the great number of species, -upwards of one hundred, which are now known and characterized, very -few are distinguished from their immediate fellows by striking and -strongly-marked characters, either physical or moral. The groups too are -connected by such gradual and easy transitions, that although the typical -forms of each, isolated from the mass and placed in contrast with each -other, unquestionably exhibit many broadly distinguishing peculiarities, -yet the entire series offers a chain so nearly complete and unbroken -as scarcely to admit of being treated of in any other way than as one -homogeneous whole. - -A no less striking than apposite instance of the close affinity between -the species, and of the difficulty of distinguishing them from each -other, especially in their young state, is furnished by the animals whose -figures stand at the head of the present article. They are all three very -evidently young individuals, and have not yet reached the period when it -would be safe to pronounce with positiveness upon the species, or, were -we to adopt the Cuvierian system in its full extent, upon the genera -even, to which they respectively belong. - -The specimen from which the central figure was taken is in all -probability the earlier age of a species of Cercopithecus; but to which -of them it should be referred, or whether it belongs to any hitherto -characterized species, we may not venture to determine until its -characters shall have become more fully developed. The distinctive -marks of this genus, which comprehends the smallest Monkeys of the -Old Continent, consist in a depressed forehead, with a facial angle -of 50°; a flat nose, with the nostrils directed upwards and outwards; -cheek-pouches, generally of large size; callosities behind; and a tail -of considerable length. The individual before us, in addition to these -characters, is remarkable for the reddish brown colour of his upper -parts, which gradually disappears in a lighter hue, mingled with a bluish -tinge beneath; for the elevated and compressed toupet which advances -considerably forwards on his forehead; for the hairs which are thinly -scattered over his livid face; and for the spreading tufts of a somewhat -lighter colour which occupy the sides of his head and face posteriorly. - -The animal which occupies the right hand in the cut appears to be the -young of the Macacus cynomolgus, Cuv., the Common Macaque; or rather -perhaps, if the colour of the face is to be regarded as affording a -sufficient specific distinction, of a new species lately described by -M. F. Cuvier under the name of Macacus carbonarius. The Macaques are -characterized by the greater elongation of their muzzles, which reduces -their facial angle to 40° or 45°; by the strong developement of their -superciliary ridges; by the oblique position of their nostrils in the -upper surface of their nose; and by the presence of cheek-pouches and -callosities. The young animal figured is blackish brown above, and, as is -very common among the Monkeys, lighter and of a bluish cast beneath; his -hands and face are nearly black; the hairs which cover his forehead form -a thick tuft advancing forwards; and his face is almost naked. - -We have little hesitation in referring the left hand figure to the -Cercopithecus pileatus of M. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, the Guenon couronnée -of Buffon, which M. Cuvier suspects, with great appearance of truth, to -be nothing more than a variety of the Macacus Sinicus, the Bonnet Chinois -of the same popular author. It differs from that in fact in little else -than in a shorter muzzle, and in a less regularly radiated and depressed -disposition of the hair of the upper part of the head; characters which -may be fairly regarded as resulting from its immature age. We may also -observe that the Macacus radiatus, Geoff., described in the succeeding -article, does not appear to be by any means clearly distinguished from -the Bonnet Chinois; and that it is highly probable that these three -Monkeys form in reality but a single species. - -All these animals, which are at present confined in one cage along with -several young individuals of the common species of Baboon and with the -Bonneted Monkey, exhibit a mixture of playfulness and malice, which -renders them extremely amusing. Their gambols with each other are often -truly laughable. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BONNETED MONKEY. - -_MACACUS RADIATUS._ DESM. - -THE PIG-FACED BABOON. - -_CYNOCEPHALUS PORCARIUS._ DESM. - - -The Monkey which occupies the left hand in the present cut forms part -of the same group with the subjects noticed at the end of the preceding -article, from which it is distinguished by the peculiar manner in -which the hair of the upper part of its head diverges, and, as it -were, radiates horizontally, from a central point towards an imaginary -circumference, assuming a form not unlike the object to which it is -usually compared, the round bonnet of a Chinese. Its forehead is also -more flattened, its superciliary crests less developed, and its muzzle -considerably lengthened and laterally compressed. The length of its body -is from twelve to fifteen inches, and its tail when entire measures quite -as much. The forehead, which is strongly wrinkled, is nearly naked, and -the whole of the face is entirely destitute of hair. That of the upper -parts of the body is of a uniform yellowish gray, the under surface -deriving a bluish tinge from the skin, which is but thinly covered. Its -native country is the east of Asia. - -The right hand figure represents the Chacma, or Pig-faced Monkey, one -of the true Baboons, whose generic characters will be found in the -succeeding article. The forehead of this species is remarkably depressed, -and the nose much prolonged. Its general colour is dusky, approaching to -black. Its body measures from two to three feet in length; but the tail -is short, and does not reach the ground when the animal stands upon all -fours. It is a native of Africa, and was formerly very troublesome in the -neighbourhood of the Cape. - -Both these animals, although lively and tolerably good humoured when -young, become mischievous in their dispositions and disgusting in their -habits as they advance in age. The voice of the latter closely resembles -the bark of a dog. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BABOON. - -_CYNOCEPHALUS PAPIO._ DESM. - - -In the true Baboons the facial angle of the adult varies from 30° to 35°, -and the superciliary crests are for the most part considerably elevated, -as is also the ridge on the back of the head formed by the attachment -of the temporal muscles, which, as well as the canine teeth, are large -and powerful. The cheeks are furnished with pouches capable of much -distension; and the muzzle terminates in a flattened extremity like that -of the dog, on which the openings of the nostrils are situated. The tail -is generally as long as, and sometimes even longer than, the body; but -in several of the species it is extremely short. The callosities are -frequently of large size and disgustingly conspicuous. This genus is -generally considered as the lowest in organization, and consequently in -capacity and intelligence, of the tribe to which it belongs. - -The colour of the common Baboon is reddish brown; his face and hands -are black, and his upper eyelids white. The hair of his cheeks forms a -considerable tuft on each side; and the under surface of his body is -but sparingly covered. In bulk he is equal to a middle sized dog; his -proportions are thickset and inelegant; but he is by no means dull or -inactive. When young, he is gay, playful, and docile; but as he grows -older he becomes untractable, malicious, and ferocious. He is sometimes -even dangerous, his muscular strength and agility, together with the -great power of his teeth and jaws, rendering him a formidable opponent. -On this account it is absolutely necessary to keep him strictly confined. -He is a native of Africa, and more especially of the tropical parts of -its western coast. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE WHITE-HEADED MONGOOS. - -_LEMUR ALBIFRONS._ GEOFF. - - -Belonging to a different tribe of the same grand division with the -true Monkeys, from which they are more readily distinguished by their -general form and habit than by any very remarkable deviation in their -structure or organization, these agile and playful little creatures -form a group which naturally follows in immediate succession. The -technical peculiarities on which their separation from the Monkeys is -founded are usually deduced from their teeth and nails; but other and -more obvious characteristics are afforded by the form of their heads, -of their tails, and of their hinder extremities, and these assist in -confirming a distinction which might otherwise be regarded as arbitrary -and unnecessary. The teeth of the Lemurs are, like those of man and -of the Monkeys of the Old World, thirty-two in number, and consist of -four incisors, two canines, and ten molars in the upper jaw, and of six -incisors, two canines, and eight molars in the lower. Such at least is -the usual statement with respect to their dentition; but M. Geoffroy -maintains, on the other hand, that the number of incisors is equal in -both jaws, and coincides with that of the Monkeys; the two outermost of -the six, which are larger than the rest, being in his opinion the true -canines; while the canines, commonly so called, are in fact only the -first of the series of molars. This conjecture unquestionably derives -considerable strength from the fact that, when the animal closes its -mouth, the supposed canines of the lower jaw pass behind those of the -upper, a position directly contrary to that which they uniformly assume -in every other animal that is furnished with that kind of teeth. On -each of their four hands they have four fingers of moderate length, and -a thumb which is capable of being opposed to them almost equally well -with that of the other Quadrumana; they are consequently enabled to -grasp whatever they seize with the greatest precision. The peculiarity -of their nails consists in the shape of that of the index of the hinder -hands, which forms an elongated, curved, and pointed claw, approaching -in some degree to those of the carnivorous quadrupeds. All the rest -of their nails are broad and flat like those of the Monkeys. Their -posterior extremities are longer than their anterior; and their body and -limbs are light, graceful, and well proportioned. The tail, which is of -uniform thickness throughout, is longer than the body, and, in common -with it, is clothed with long, soft, and woolly hair. The head is long, -triangular, and gradually tapering into a slender and pointed muzzle, -which, in proportionate length, far exceeds that of any of the Monkeys; -the ears are short and rounded; and the whiskers but little developed. - -The whole of the genus thus characterized are natives of Madagascar and -of two or three of the smaller islands in its immediate vicinity. They -appear to occupy in that remarkable and very imperfectly known country -the place of the Monkeys, none of which have yet been detected within -its precincts. They are said to live in numerous troops upon the trees, -and to feed upon fruits and insects; but their habits in a state of -nature have not yet been observed with sufficient accuracy to enable -us to form any clear idea of their mode of existence. In captivity -they are particularly tame and good tempered, fond of being noticed, -delighting in motion, and climbing and leaping with surprising agility. -They are, however, in some degree nocturnal; and when undisturbed pass a -considerable portion of the day in sleep. If alone, they roll themselves -up in the form of a ball, and wind their long tail in a very curious -manner round their body, apparently for the purpose of keeping themselves -warm; for they are naturally chilly, and delight in basking in the rays -of the sun, or in creeping as close as possible to the fire. When two of -them are confined together, they interlace their limbs and tails after a -singular fashion, and placing their heads in such a position as that each -may, if disturbed, see what is going on behind the other’s back, fall -comfortably asleep. - -The species to which the beautiful pair in the Menagerie belong has all -the habits of its group. It is characterized by the clear fulvous brown -colour of the upper surface of the body and outer side of the limbs, -gradually becoming lighter on the under and inner surfaces, and deepening -in its shade towards the tail, the greater part of which is nearly black. -The muzzle and the hands are bluish black. The male has the whole of the -forehead, the sides of the cheeks, and the under part of the lower lip -covered with a white fur, which in the female is of a blackish gray and -much less developed; her general colour is also of a lighter tinge. This -remarkable difference would lead us to question the specific identity -of the two animals, were we not assured by M. F. Cuvier that he had -verified the fact by what is usually regarded as an unequivocal test. -Mr. M’Leay has, however, thrown considerable doubt upon the accuracy of -the inference thus attempted to be drawn, by exhibiting to the Linnean -Society a female, in whom the white fur of the head was as distinctly -developed as in her male companion. The whole of the species of this -group require, in fact, an accurate revision. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE KANGUROO. - -_MACROPUS MAJOR._ SHAW. - - -The very peculiar structure from which the Marsupial animals derive their -name has been regarded by almost every naturalist who has written on the -subject as so essential a deviation from the common type, that, setting -aside all considerations of form or habits, and regardless even of -those technical characters on which so much reliance is usually placed, -they have for the most part agreed in uniting under the same family -designation every animal in which it occurred. This peculiarity consists -in a folding or doubling of the skin and its appendages beneath the lower -part of the belly in the females, in such a manner as to form an open -pouch or bag, in which the young are contained from a very early period, -in which the process of suckling takes place, and in which, even for some -time after they have acquired sufficient size and strength to leave it, -the little ones continue to take refuge. - -But the presence of this one anomalous characteristic is accompanied -by so many striking discrepancies in other parts, that, limited as -this tribe is in number, most of the principal forms of Mammalia find -analogous representations among its groups. Thus the Opossums exhibit -characters in some measure intermediate between the Quadrumana and the -Carnivora, to which latter the Dasyuri, another Marsupial group, closely -resembling the Civets in form and habits, approach very nearly; while -the herbivorous races of the tribe might occupy a station between the -Rodent and Ruminant Orders, with each of which they exhibit various -degrees of relationship. This want of uniformity in the essential parts -of their organization necessarily gives rise to much difficulty in -determining their position in the system. The mode of classification now -most generally followed is perhaps, under all the circumstances, the best -that could at the present moment be adopted; although it must be owned -that the purely herbivorous species arrange themselves with a very ill -grace under a subdivision of the order Carnivora. Placed, however, as -they are at the end of that order, and immediately before the Rodentia, -the regular gradations from the type of the former to that of the latter, -which occur in their different groups, become most distinctly manifest. - -With the exception of the Opossums, which are natives of America, the -tribe is peculiar to New Holland and its appendages, and to some of the -islands which form the great chain of connexion between that insular -continent and South-eastern Asia. The former is, however, their head -quarters, and the species which are found beyond its limits are few in -number compared with those which people its territory, and, what is more -remarkable, people it to the exclusion of nearly all the other Mammalia; -the dog alone, the universal concomitant of man, and one or two species -of rats, disputing with them their title to its exclusive possession; for -those paradoxical creatures, the Ornithorhynchus and Echidna, if really -mammiferous, approximate closely in structure to the Marsupial tribe. - -The largest of these animals are the Kanguroos, whose generic characters -we shall now proceed to describe. Their teeth are only of two kinds, -the canines being altogether wanting. The incisors are six in the -upper jaw, and two only in the lower; the former short, and arranged -in a curved line, and the latter long, pointed, closely applied to -each other, and directed forwards. The molars are separated from the -incisors by a considerable vacant space, and are five in number on -each side of each jaw. The most remarkable peculiarity in the external -form of these animals consists in the extreme disproportion of their -limbs, the anterior legs being short and weak, while the posterior are -extremely long and muscular. The tail too is excessively thick at its -base, of considerable length, and gradually tapering; and this singular -conformation enables it to act in some measure as a supplemental leg, -when the animal assumes an erect or nearly erect posture, in which -position he is supported as it were on a tripod by the joint action of -these three powerful organs. By means of this combination they will, -when flying from danger, take a succession of leaps of from twenty to -thirty feet in length and six or eight in height; but even in their more -quiet and gradual mode of progression they also make use of their tail -in conjunction with their four extremities. The fore feet are furnished -with five toes, each terminating in a moderately strong and arcuated -claw. The hinder extremities, on the contrary, have only four toes, the -two interior of which are united together so as to form the appearance -of a single one furnished with two short and feeble claws; the third is -long, of great strength, and terminated by a large and powerful claw -having the form of a lengthened hoof; and the fourth, the most external -of the series, is similar in character to the third, but of much smaller -dimensions. The head and anterior part are small and delicate, and appear -quite disproportioned to the robust posterior half of the body; and this -disproportion is equally striking, whether the animal assumes an erect -position or crouches forwards upon all fours. In either case the whole -extent of the soles of the posterior feet, which are of great length, is -applied to the surface of the ground. Although differing from all the -Rodent animals in the number of the cutting teeth of the upper jaw, the -Kanguroo has the deep fissure in the upper lip, with which nearly all -that order are furnished, and of which the hare offers a familiar and -proverbial instance. - -These singular animals were among the first fruits which accrued to -natural history from the discovery of New South Wales, a country which -has since proved so fertile in new and remarkable forms both of the -animal and vegetable creations. Their natural habits in a wild state -are still, however, very imperfectly known. They appear to live in small -herds, perhaps single families, which are said to submit to the guidance -of the older males, and to inhabit in preference the neighbourhood -of woods and thickets. They are, as might be inferred from the small -size of their mouths and the peculiar character of their teeth, purely -herbivorous, feeding chiefly upon grass and roots. Their flesh is eaten -by the colonists, by whom it is said to be nutritious and savoury, -an assertion which is confirmed by those who have partaken of it in -England. In order to procure this they are frequently hunted in their -native country; but the dogs who are employed in this service sometimes -meet with dangerous wounds, not only from the blows of their powerful -tail, which is their usual weapon of defence, but also from the claws -of their hind feet, with which they have been known to lacerate the -bodies of their assailants in a shocking manner. But, unless when thus -driven to make use of such powers of self-defence as they possess, they -are perfectly harmless and even timid; and, when domesticated, are not -in the least mischievous. In several collections in this country, and -particularly in the Royal Park at Windsor, from which the specimens in -the Menagerie were obtained, they have become almost naturalized, and -appear to be but little affected by the change of climate. When confined -in a small enclosure, they uniformly make their path round its circuit, -seldom crossing it or passing in any other direction except for the -purpose of procuring their food. Their whole appearance, and especially -their mode of progression, is singularly curious and even to a certain -extent ludicrous. - -Modern naturalists have attempted to distinguish several species among -the Kanguroos; but as the characters on which these are founded consist -merely in difference of size and slight modifications of colour, a much -more complete acquaintance with them than we yet possess is requisite -before they can safely be adopted. Our specimens are of a brownish gray -above, somewhat lighter beneath, with the extremity of the muzzle, the -back of the ear, the feet, and the upper surface of the tail, nearly -black, and the front of the throat grayish white. Since they have -been confined in the Menagerie, the female has once produced young; a -circumstance by no means unfrequent even in this country among those -which are less restricted of their liberty and are suffered to roam -at large in a meadow or a park. They are fed, like the domesticated -Ruminants, upon green herbage and hay; and are extremely tame and good -tempered. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE AFRICAN PORCUPINE. - -_HYSTRIX CRISTATA._ LINN. - - -Although the Rodent order, next to the Carnivorous, is the most numerous -in species, the Porcupine is the only animal belonging to it which is -at present contained in the Menagerie. The animals of this division, -consisting chiefly of “rats and mice and such small deer,” have indeed, -with some few exceptions, so little of interest for the mere casual -visiter of an exhibition, that it is rarely that they are sought after -unless by the scientific collector. They are at once distinguished -from the Carnivora by the total absence of canine teeth; and have -uniformly two incisors in each jaw, projecting forwards and generally -of considerable size, separated from a variable number of grinders by a -vacant space. - -From the other animals of the order the Porcupines are so readily -distinguished by the long and pointed spines with which their body is -armed, that it is unnecessary to dwell on their generic characters. The -common Porcupine, when fully grown, as in the remarkably fine specimen -figured over leaf, measures more than two feet from the tip of the nose -to the origin of the tail. The spines, which are supported by a slender -pedicel, thickly clothe the upper and posterior parts of the body, the -largest being more than a foot in length; they are regularly surrounded -by alternate rings of black and white. The head and neck are crested with -long, bristly, black hairs, forming a kind of mane, and all the rest of -the body is covered with short black hair. - -The Porcupine is a native of Africa and the south of Europe; he chooses -for his abode the most arid and solitary situations, and passes the -daytime secluded in the burrows which he digs for his habitation, -quitting them only at night to provide his subsistence, which consists -entirely of vegetable substances. He is a remarkably timid animal, and -never makes use of his formidable weapons except in self-defence; if -alarmed, his spines immediately become erected, and woe be to the enemy -who should dare to attack him open-mouthed when in that posture. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT. - -_ELEPHAS INDICUS._ CUV. - - -The opportune arrival of a beautiful little Elephant, an animal which has -for some time been a desideratum to the Menagerie, fortunately enables us -to add to our list of subjects that which in all probability presents the -most generally attractive spectacle among the whole class of Mammiferous -Quadrupeds. The strong and peculiar interest which the Elephant possesses -above all other beasts arises in fact not so much from his gigantic bulk -and immense muscular power, as from the high opinion usually entertained -of those intellectual qualities with which he has long been supposed -to be preeminently endowed, and which have rendered him a theme of -exaggerated encomium to the careless observer, while even in some -philosophic minds they have furnished the groundwork on which perverted -ingenuity has built up theory after theory as baseless and imaginary -as the foundation on which they have been made to rest, the reason and -reflection of a brute. - -It is on this account that we feel it incumbent upon us, notwithstanding -all that has been written on the subject, to dwell with some little -detail on the natural history of this singular animal; but we shall -nevertheless endeavour to compress our observations within the smallest -possible compass. We shall commence as usual with his zoological -characters, and shall then take a glance at his habits, such as they -appear in a pure state of nature, unfettered by any laws but those -of necessity, and uncontrolled except by the inevitable influence of -the circumstances in which he is placed. And lastly we shall view him -when under the control of man, and reduced to that half-domesticated -condition to which even his stubborn nature is bowed by the application -of those means which man alone can employ, and by which he maintains his -ascendancy as undisputed lord of the creation over the mightiest even -more effectually than over the meanest of its works. - -The Elephants belong to the Pachydermatous order, in which they -constitute a family readily distinguishable from the other enormous -beasts which form part of it, the Hippopotamus and the Rhinoceros, by -a combination of characters of the most remarkable description. To the -immense size and clumsy figure of the two last named animals, which -indeed they commonly surpass in both those particulars, they add the -following distinctive zoological characters. Their teeth consist of two -formidable tusks, which, occupying the place of the incisors of the upper -jaw, project forwards in a nearly horizontal direction, generally with -a slight curvature upwards; and of one or occasionally two cheek teeth -of considerable magnitude on each side of each jaw, formed of vertical -layers of bony matter surrounded by enamel, and connected together by -a third substance called cortical. These latter are not, as in almost -all the other Mammalia, renewed for one only time and at a certain age -by the growth of others to supply their places from the cavity of the -jaw beneath them; but, on the contrary, are pushed forwards by the -advance of those which are destined to replace them from behind, and are -renewed, according to the statement of Mr. Corse, no less than eight -times at different periods of the animal’s existence. On each successive -change the number of laminæ of which they are composed is increased, the -earliest not offering more than four, while the later ones frequently -exceed twenty; and it is in consequence of the new teeth generally making -their appearance for some time prior to the total failure of their -predecessors that their number occasionally appears to be double its -proper and more usual amount. The tusks on the contrary admit but of a -single displacement and renewal; the first or milk pair seldom exceeding -two inches in length, and falling out between the first and second year. -The permanent ones which succeed are much larger and more powerful in -the adult male than in the female, and not unfrequently project as much -as two feet. They are well known as furnishing one of the most beautiful -and ornamental productions which the animal kingdom affords, as well as -a valuable article of commerce, in the pure and polished ivory of which -they are formed. They have been known to weigh as much as one hundred and -fifty pounds, but their usual average is from fifty to seventy. - -The ears of the Elephant are large, not elevated like those of other -quadrupeds so as to form a kind of trumpet for the reception of sound, -but flattened down upon the side of the head, and forming a broad -and uninterruptedly expanded surface. His eyes, remarkably small in -proportion to his bulk, are sheltered above by a cluster of long hairs, -which, with a few others scattered over the head and still more rarely on -the body, and a kind of brush at the extremity of the tail, constitute -the only covering, if covering it may be called, with which he is -provided. His skin in fact is throughout nearly destitute of hair; but -in return it is, as in the rest of the order, of excessive thickness and -extreme tenacity, insomuch as to be capable of repelling a common musket -ball, which scarcely makes the slightest impression upon its surface. -His feet are enveloped by a large hoof of a callous and almost horny -consistence, and are divided, in the skeleton at least, into five toes, -the extremities only of which, rendered obvious by the nails by which -they are surmounted, are externally visible. On the hind feet the number -of apparent toes varies from three to four. - -But of all the peculiarities by which the Elephant is distinguished, the -most singular and at the same time the most useful is the projection -which is formed by the blending and extension of the nose and upper -lip into an elongated and tapering tube, considerably longer than -the head, and truncated at the extremity, where it is surrounded by a -slightly elevated margin, which is prolonged anteriorly and superiorly -into a finger-like appendage of various and invaluable use. This trunk -or proboscis, as it is called, is divided throughout its whole extent -into two equal cavities, which are continuous with the nostrils, but -appear to have no other connexion with the organ of smell than as being -the medium of the passage of odours to the olfactory apparatus, which is -confined within the bones of the head, and is indeed seated much higher -than usual in consequence of the large space occupied by the roots of -the tusks and by the cavities of the maxillary bones. The real uses of -the trunk are far higher and more important; and it is to this unique -and unexampled structure that the Elephant owes whatever superiority he -possesses over other beasts. In general capacity he is inferior to most, -and the intellectual qualities of a dog or a horse are unquestionably -of a far more elevated order; but with the assistance of this curious -organ, with some little sagacity, a tolerable memory, and a certain -degree of docility, the Elephant is enabled to execute such a variety of -actions, either of his own accord or at the command of his keeper, as -have gained him the credit not only of being the cleverest of brutes, but -of possessing qualities of a superior cast and even the divine gift of -reason itself. - -The structure of the trunk is entirely muscular, and the fibres of which -it is composed are arranged in such a manner that it is capable of being -inflected in almost any direction; but to twist itself spirally inwards -appears to be its most natural action. In this manner it will grasp with -the utmost firmness, for its strength is fully equal to its flexibility, -whatever it may seize; and it is by this means that the Elephant conveys -his food to his mouth. Being purely herbivorous, but encumbered with -a head and appendages so weighty as to require all the support to be -derived from an excessively short and almost unyielding neck, it would -be utterly impossible for him to browse upon the herbage from which his -sustenance is chiefly derived, and he would consequently run no small -risk of absolute starvation, were it not for this admirable provision, -by means of which he collects and enfolds his food, and conveys it to -his mouth with as much ease and precision as a Monkey would execute the -same motions with his hands. In drinking too the trunk offers the same -facilities and performs the same useful and necessary office. Placing its -extremity in the fluid which he is about to drink, the Elephant pumps up, -or rather inhales, a sufficient quantity to fill its cavities, and then -transferring it to his mouth pours its contents quietly down his throat. -When his thirst is satisfied he will frequently continue the same process -of filling his trunk for the purpose of discharging the liquid contained -in it over his body, an indulgence in which he appears to take no little -pleasure; and will even sometimes amuse himself by directing the fluid to -other objects. - -The Asiatic Elephant was until very lately considered as forming one -species with the African, the clear and obvious distinctions which exist -between them never having been noticed until pointed out by M. Cuvier, -notwithstanding that both have been familiarly known for more than two -thousand years to the nations of Europe, the former having formed an -important part of the armament with which Porus withstood the conquering -arms of Alexander, and having been subsequently introduced even into -Italy by Pyrrhus; and the latter, as we may fairly presume, furnishing -those individuals which were employed in the warlike array of the -Carthaginians. The Asiatic animal appears when fully grown to attain a -larger size than the African, the females commonly measuring from seven -to eight, and the males from eight to ten feet in height, and sometimes -weighing six or seven thousand pounds. His head is more oblong, and his -forehead presents in the centre a deep concavity between two lateral and -rounded elevations; that of the African being round and convex in all -its parts. The teeth of the former are composed of transverse vertical -laminæ of equal breadth, while those of the latter form rhomboidal or -lozenge-shaped divisions. The ears of the Asiatic are also smaller and -descend no lower than his neck, and he exhibits four distinct toes on his -hind feet: the African on the contrary is furnished with ears of much -greater size, descending to his legs, and no more than three toes are -visible on his posterior extremities. These differences are so striking -and important, and indeed, so far as regards the form of the head and -the structure of the teeth, so essential, that it is impossible not to -adopt the division which has been founded upon them, and to consider the -natives of the two continents as originally and specifically distinct. - -The Asiatic Elephants themselves vary considerably in several minor -particulars, such as the comparative length and thickness of their trunks -and of their tusks, the latter of which are sometimes, even in the males, -of very small dimensions. But these variations are evidently the result -of locality and other fortuitous circumstances, the species appearing -gradually to degenerate as it recedes from the tropics, and to improve as -it advances towards the line. The Elephants of Ceylon are consequently -in the highest esteem for size, beauty, and hardihood, and those of Pegu -are but little inferior to them; while those of the northern districts of -India are held in comparatively trifling estimation. - -These animals are by nature sociable, and congregate together in herds, -which frequently amount to more than a hundred. The imposing spectacle -furnished by such a collection of these immense masses of animated matter -may well be imagined. They generally seek the shade of the forest, in -which they find additional means of subsistence in the young shoots of -the trees, which supply the place of other and more congenial herbs. -They frequently issue from it, however, in quest of the latter, and -also to indulge in a propensity possessed by them in common with all -those animals which like them are furnished with thick and almost naked, -or with bristly, skins, that of bathing in the water or wallowing in -the mud. It is for this reason that they are usually met with in the -neighbourhood of large streams, which their great size and the quantity -of fat with which they are commonly loaded enable them to swim with -facility. Their trunk is also extremely serviceable in this operation, as -it enables them to bury as it were the whole of their body beneath the -water, retaining above the surface no more than the extremity of that -organ for the admission and expulsion of the air. After having been for -some time in the water, it is said that their skin loses the dusky hue -by which it is usually distinguished in consequence of the dirt and other -matters with which it is incrusted, and assumes a perfect flesh-colour -marked with numerous round and blackish spots. This natural colour is, -however, lost almost immediately on their reaching the land, when they -uniformly scatter themselves all over by means of their trunk with the -mud or dust which first falls in their way. So fond are they of this -process that they commonly recur to it whenever an opportunity offers. -The bathing appears to be absolutely necessary in order to keep their -skins to a certain extent supple and flexible; for which purpose their -keepers, in captivity, occasionally have recourse to the smearing them -with oil as a substitute. - -Like other herbivorous quadrupeds they are, generally speaking, quiet -and harmless, intent solely upon providing for their wants, and never -attacking man or other animals unless provoked or when under the -influence of excitement. In this latter case they make use not only -of their proboscis, which they wield with great dexterity as a weapon -of offence, but also of their tusks, with which they inflict the most -tremendous wounds. Their speed in pursuit corresponds rather with the -cumbrousness than with the magnitude of their frame, the excessive weight -of which soon renders them weary, and compels them to slacken their pace; -which, when urged to the utmost, is barely equal to that of a horse -of moderate fleetness. They will sometimes penetrate in quest of food -into the rice fields and sugar plantations, in which they commit the -most extensive ravages, not so much by the quantity which they consume -as by that which they destroy. The solitary individuals, which are -occasionally met with separate from the general herd, indulge perhaps -more frequently in these excesses than the community, which generally -avoids as much as possible the habitations of man. It has commonly been -imagined that these stray Elephants were the younger and weaker males, -who had been driven from the herd by their more powerful fellows; but -the fact that they are usually adults of the largest size completely -negatives this supposition, and proves that it is of their own free will -that they wander thus alone. They attain their full growth between the -ages of eighteen and twenty-four, and well authenticated instances have -occurred in which they have reached the age of a hundred and thirty -years. Indeed there is reason to believe that their life may be sometimes -prolonged to two centuries. - -The usual mode of catching the wild Elephants for the purpose of -domestication has been so often described that it would be superfluous -to repeat it here. It may be sufficient to observe that a herd of them -having been driven by the hunters into an enclosure surrounded by -palisades and ditches, and provided only with a narrow pass by way of -egress, they are there made prisoners one after the other, and attached -to the tame elephants, which are employed on such occasions partly as -decoys and partly as guards over their captive brethren. The necessity -of having recourse to this mode of supplying the wants, or rather of -ministering to the pride, of the sovereigns of the East, both native and -European, who alike regard these animals as the indispensable appendages -of their rank, arises from the circumstance of the breed being very -rarely propagated in captivity; the Hindoos being either too ignorant -or too careless to adopt the requisite measures for securing its -continuance, and relying upon the certainty of being enabled by their -hunting to keep up a sufficient supply. But there can be little doubt, -from what we observe in other animals, that had a domesticated breed of -Elephants existed from the times when their services were first made -available to man, they would have been far superior both in sagacity and -docility to the half-reclaimed individuals at present employed. - -It may readily be supposed that the taming of these wild and unwieldy -creatures is a task of no little difficulty and delicacy: but the -experienced keepers by whom it is undertaken seldom fail to execute it -with success. It is effected partly by reducing the strength of the -animal by restricting him in the quantity of his food, by the employment -of caresses or of castigation according to the dispositions he may -manifest, by occasionally indulging him in sweetmeats or in other dainty -fare, and by subjecting him to the control of the tame elephants, and -especially of the females, which are more commonly employed for this -purpose. By the application of these means the space of a fortnight is -generally sufficient to reduce him to a certain degree of tameness, and -in less than six months he is trained to the various exercises which it -is intended that he should perform, and his education is regarded as -complete. They do not, however, always become familiar and habituated to -their new mode of life even within this period of time; for, according -to the statement of Mr. Corse, Elephants have been known to stand -twelve months at their pickets without lying down to sleep; and this is -regarded as a certain sign of want of confidence in their keepers and -of a longing desire to regain their liberty. It is probably to some -such circumstance as this that we are indebted for the erroneous idea so -generally prevalent that these animals always sleep standing; whereas the -truth is, that when perfectly at ease and reconciled to their fate, they -lie down on their sides and sleep like other beasts. - -The purposes for which they are commonly employed are rather those of -pomp, of luxury, and of ostentation, than of utility. As a means of -warlike offence they have been, since the introduction of firearms, -absolutely disused; and it is only as beasts of burden that they are -turned to any useful account. In this respect the services of a single -Elephant are equal to those of five or six horses, as they will carry -from fifteen to twenty hundred weight, and travel from forty to fifty -miles a day. They generally consume a hundred weight and a half or two -hundred weight of solid food, and thirty or forty gallons of fluid, -in the course of the day. They are fond of wine, spirits, and other -intoxicating articles, by the attraction of which they are frequently -induced to exert their powers, and to perform various feats of dexterity, -when all other methods have failed to render them tractable. They become -strongly attached to their keepers; but, if irritated by ill usage, their -hatred is as violent as their affection, and is carefully stored up until -a favourable opportunity occurs, when they seldom fail to remember an -insult or an injury, even at very distant periods of time. - -With regard to their sagacity much has been written, and many exaggerated -and many incredible stories have been told; but it would appear that -those who have attributed to the Elephant a degree of intelligence -superior to every other beast, have been misled by outward appearances, -and by the natural prepossession arising from his gigantic and imposing -figure. Without his trunk, upon the singular and admirable structure of -which most of that skill and dexterity which have been regarded as the -result of mental reflection is entirely dependent, he would be, in all -probability, as very a brute as the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, or the -hog. By means of that organ, however, he unquestionably acquires the -capacity of performing feats of which other animals are incapable; but -here his superiority ends. In intelligence, as in docility, he is far -inferior to the dog; and many other quadrupeds might fairly compete with -him in both. Thus to turn a key in a lock, to push back a bolt, to untie -a rope, to uncork a bottle, to search in the pockets of his keepers for -apples or oranges, these and many other tricks of a similar kind, for -which he is famous, are evidently nothing more than mechanical actions, -to the performance of which he is stimulated, like other beasts, at first -by the promise of reward or the fear of chastisement, and afterwards -by the mere force of habit. In like manner the dexterity with which he -learns to load and unload himself, or to place a man or child upon his -back by means of his trunk, without offering them the slightest injury; -and on the other hand the precision with which he is made to execute the -will of the Asiatic despot on the unhappy victims of his displeasure, by -seizing them and casting them beneath his feet, to be there dispatched, -according to the tenor of the orders which he receives, either with a -single crush, or with all the horrors of a lingering death; these also -are actions of no higher order than many other animals are equally -capable of in a moral point of view, although not so well fitted for them -by physical conformation. - -In conclusion we have only to add that the fine little Elephant from -which our figure was taken appears from his dimensions and from the very -small size of his tusks to be little more than three years old. He is -extremely good tempered, and became reconciled to his situation almost -from the very moment of his arrival. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE ZEBRA OF THE PLAINS. - -_EQUUS BURCHELLII._ - - -The well known group of which the Horse, the Ass, and the Zebra -constitute the leading species, is distinguished from all other -quadrupeds by the form of their hoof, which is single and undivided, -rounded in front, of considerable thickness, and enveloping the extremity -of their only apparent toe. They have in each jaw six powerful cutting -teeth, accompanied on either side by the same number of grinders with -square crowns flattened at the top: the males have two canines in the -upper jaw, and frequently in the lower also; and this structure is -sometimes shared by the females of the domesticated races. Between -the canines and the molars there is a vacant space, which, our -readers scarcely need to be reminded, receives the bit, the small but -irresistible instrument by means of which man has for ages exercised -the most complete control over the services of these useful animals. -Although purely and essentially herbivorous, their anatomy, as well as -their habits, separates them most thoroughly from the Ruminants, and -approximates them in several respects to the Pachydermatous order, with -which, in spite of their many discrepancies, both physical and moral, M. -Cuvier has associated them. It is needless to point out the incongruity -of this union, and it would be equally so to say more of the general form -and external characteristics of a group, the principal species of which -are so constantly before our eyes. - -It may, however, be observed, that it has been proposed to divide it -into two distinct genera, the one containing the Horse alone, and -characterized by the flowing tail uniformly covered with long hair, by -the absence of a line of darker coloured hairs along the back, and by -the presence of callous protuberances on the hind legs as well as on the -fore: the other comprehending the Asses and Zebras, and distinguished -by the tail having a brush of long hairs at its extremity only, by the -presence of the dorsal line, and the absence of the protuberances on the -posterior legs. Such a division, resting as it does on striking but not -very essential differences, may fairly be admitted for the purpose of -separating the genus into sections; but can hardly be regarded as founded -on characters of sufficient importance to disunite so well marked and -strongly connected, as well as so limited, a group. In the same paper -in which this new arrangement was proposed, the beautiful animal which -we have now to describe was first specifically distinguished by Mr. Gray -from the Common Zebra, with which it had previously been confounded, -and characterized by him under the name of the Asinus Burchellii. Still -there exists so much confusion between the two Zebras, many naturalists -falling into the same error with Mr. Burchell, who first remarked the -distinction between them, and regarding the present animal as the Zebra -of zoologists, and the common one in reality as the new species; while -others have absolutely counterchanged a part of the characters of each, -and thus made confusion worse confounded; that we cannot do better than -describe with some little detail the markings of the individual now -before us. - -The ground colour of its whole body is white, interrupted by a regular -series of broad black stripes extending from the back across the sides, -with narrower and fainter ones intervening between each. Over the -haunches and shoulders these stripes form a kind of bifurcation, between -the divisions of which there are a few transverse lines of the same -colour; but these suddenly and abruptly cease, and are not continued -on the legs, which are perfectly white. Along the back there is a -narrow longitudinal line, bordered on each side with white. The mane -is throughout broadly and deeply tipped with black, and is marked by a -continuation of the transverse bands of the neck. The lines of the face -are narrow and beautifully regular; from the centre of the forehead they -radiate downwards over the eyes; along the front of the muzzle they are -longitudinal, the outer ones having a curve outwards; and on the sides -they form broader transverse bands. From the confluence of these bands -on the extremity of the muzzle, the nose, and the lower lip, those parts -become of a nearly uniform blackish brown. The tail is white: there is no -longitudinal ventral line: and a large black patch occupies the posterior -part of the ear near the tip. The hoofs are moderately large, deep in -front, shallow behind, and much expanded at their margin. - -Of the habits of these animals in a state of nature we know but little. -They inhabit the flat parts near the Cape of Good Hope, the common Zebra -being confined to the mountains. All the attempts that have been made to -domesticate either the one or the other, and to render them serviceable, -have hitherto failed; but there seems no good reason why they should not, -with proper management, be brought as completely under subjection as the -other species of the genus. The subject of the present article, which has -now been about two years in the Menagerie, will suffer a boy to ride her -about the yard, and is frequently allowed to run loose through the Tower, -with a man by her side, whom she does not attempt to quit except to run -to the Canteen, where she is occasionally indulged with a draught of ale, -of which she is particularly fond. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE LLAMA. - -_LLAMA PERUVIANA._ CUV. - - -In common with the Camels, the Llamas are distinguished from all other -Ruminating animals chiefly by the absence of horns, by the structure of -their feet, and by their mode of dentition, in all of which these two -closely allied groups very nearly correspond with each other. In their -general form there is also some similarity; but the latter are much -lighter in their proportions, and far more lively and spirited in their -motions. They exhibit no traces of the clumsy and unsightly humps which -disfigure the backs of the former, and their necks and limbs, of greater -comparative length, appear to be far less oppressed by the superincumbent -weight of the head and body, which are consequently maintained in a more -upright and graceful position. The principal difference in their internal -structure consists in the want of that extensive appendage to the first -stomach, which renders the Camel so peculiarly valuable in situations -where water is with difficulty procured, by enabling him to lay in at -once a sufficient stock of that indispensable necessary to supply his -wants for many days. But even without this appendage the Llamas are -observed to be by no means so much exposed to frequent thirst as the -generality of animals, and to drink but rarely and in moderate quantity. - -The feet of the Camels and of the Llamas are very different in form -from those of all the other Ruminants. They are, it is true, deeply -divided, like those of the latter, into two apparent toes; but cannot be -said, like them, to part the hoof, for they have no real hoof, and the -extremities of their protruded toes are armed only with short, thick, -and crooked claws. These toes are in the Camels united posteriorly by -a horny process, which is wanting in the Llamas. The teeth of both are -nearly similar: they consist of six incisors in the lower jaw and two in -the upper; of two canines in each; and of six molars in the upper, and -five in the lower, on each side. None of the other Ruminants exhibit the -least appearance of cutting teeth in the upper jaw. The nostrils of both -consist externally of mere fissures in the skin, which may be opened -and closed at pleasure, and which are surrounded by a naked muzzle; and -their upper lip is divided into two distinct portions, which are very -extensible, and capable of much separate motion. - -The species of the group, of which the Llama forms the type, have -been involved by the imperfect descriptions of naturalists in almost -inextricable confusion. No less than five have been admitted; but the -variations of colour and of size, and the degree of length and fineness -of the wool, differences rather commercial than natural, afford almost -the only positive distinctions that have yet been laid down between them; -and when we consider that some of them have been for ages in a state of -domestication, it will readily be allowed that such characters as these -are, to say the least, trivial and uncertain. Our animals, which are -nearly four feet in height at the shoulder, and somewhat more than five -feet to the top of the head, have the neck, the back, the sides, and -the tail, which is rather short, covered with a beautiful coat of long, -bright brown, woolly hair. The long and pointed ears, and the small and -attenuated head, on which the hair is short, close, and even, are of -a grayish mouse-colour; the outside of the legs is of the same colour -with the sides of the body; and their inside, as also the under part -of the body and the throat, pure white. The hair on the limbs is short -and smooth. In these respects they offer but little to distinguish them -from any of the animals which have been exhibited in this country under -the various names of Llamas, Pacos, and Guanacos. There is, however, at -present in the Garden of the Zoological Society, an animal, which besides -being of larger size, covered with longer and coarser wool, and entirely -white (which latter circumstance may be purely accidental), differs -remarkably in the form of the forehead, which in it is perfectly flat, -while in our animals it rises in a strong curve. This character, it is -probable, affords a permanent ground of distinction, although we venture -not at present to speak decidedly respecting it. - -The Llamas congregate together in considerable herds on the sides of -the Andes, and generally in the colder and more elevated regions. When -the Spaniards first arrived in Peru they were the only beasts of burden -employed by the natives; and even at the present day, when horses have -become so excessively common, they are usually preferred for passing the -mountains, on which their sureness of footing, exceeding even that of -the mule, gives them a manifest superiority. Generally speaking they are -quiet, docile and timid; but they occasionally exhibit much spitefulness, -especially if teased or ill treated. Their mode of evincing this is very -peculiar, and consists in darting their saliva through their nostrils -with considerable force. Like all the other Ruminants they subsist -entirely on vegetables. Those in the Tower Menagerie have a particular -fondness for carrots; and if one of these is abstracted from them while -they are eating, their anger is immediately roused, and they spit, as -it is termed, with the greatest vehemence, covering with their saliva a -surface of three or four yards in extent. One of the animals in the cut -is represented in the act. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE MALAYAN RUSA-DEER. - -_CERVUS EQUINUS._ CUV. - - -The Deer constitute a numerous and beautiful group of Ruminants, which -are readily distinguished by the graceful symmetry of their form, by -their long and slender, but firm and sinewy, legs, by their broad and -pointed ears, and by the comparative shortness of their tails; but more -especially by the generally large and branching horns which ornament the -heads of the males. Like all the ruminating animals, with the exception -of those mentioned in the preceding article, they are furnished with -eight cutting-teeth in the lower jaw, opposed to a callous and toothless -surface in the upper; and with expanded, flat, and deeply bifurcated -hoofs, constituting two distinct and apparent toes, above which they -have also the rudiments of two others. Some of the species have canine -teeth in the upper jaw, generally in the males alone; and they have all -six molars on each side. In the greater number of them the nostrils are -surrounded by a naked muzzle; and most of them are also provided with a -sinus or sac, of greater or less extent, immediately beneath the inner -angle of the eye, called the sub-orbital sinus, the _larmier_ of the -French zoologists. - -The horns, which form the most distinguishing character of the genus, are -perfectly solid throughout their whole extent. Their form varies very -considerably in the different races; but they are constantly uniform in -the same species, unless accidentally or artificially perverted from -their natural growth. In some they are simple at the base and terminate -in a broad and palmate expansion, which is variously lobed and divided; -in others they are more or less branched, giving off antlers in different -directions; and in some few they are short and nearly simple. They -fall off and are renewed annually in all the species which inhabit the -northern and temperate regions of the earth, and in those in which they -attain any considerable size; but Sir T. Stamford Raffles was of opinion, -and his opinion has been in some measure confirmed by the observations of -Major C. Hamilton Smith, that several of the tropical species with small -and nearly simple horns are exempted from this general law. The horns are -smaller and less developed in the young than in the full grown and adult -animal, and diminish again in size, and frequently become irregular, as -he advances in age. In one species alone, the Rein-Deer of the North, the -female wears the same palmy honours with the male; but they do not in -her reach the same enormous extent. - -The high degree of domestication to which this latter species has been -brought, and the invaluable services which it renders to the Laplander, -added to the tranquil content which most of the deer manifest in a -state of captivity, afford sufficient proofs that there is nothing -in the constitution of the group repugnant to their being tamed and -familiarized with man; but from none of the other races have any real or -essential advantages been as yet derived. The quiet confidence, mixed -with a certain air of cautious timidity, which they exhibit in their -half-restricted state, in the park or the chase, where they are kept -more for ornament than use, is perfectly indicative of their general -character. But the very mildness of their disposition has been turned to -their disadvantage, and one of the gentlest of animals, because endowed -by nature with a high degree of fleetness, with some sagacity, and with -a certain share of timidity, has been marked out by man as the chosen -victim of his cruelty, disguised under the captivating name of sport. - -The Samboo Deer, as the present species is called by his keepers, belongs -to the Rusa group, which are distinguished from the rest of the genus by -their horns being provided with a single antler at the base, and with a -lateral snag which forms a kind of bifurcation towards the extremity. -They are usually of large stature and nearly uniform colours, and are, -for the most part, furnished with a rough and shaggy mane, a broad and -expanded muzzle, and sub-orbital openings of considerable size. The -handsome Stag now before us is dark cinereous brown above, nearly black -on the throat and breast, and light fawn, intermixed with dirty white, -on the inside of the limbs. His eyes are surrounded by a fawn-coloured -disc, and patches of the same colour occupy the fore knees, and a space -above each of the hoofs in front. His nose, which is black, is enveloped -in an extensive muzzle; his ears are nearly naked on the inside, and -marked by a patch of dirty white at the base externally; and his mane, -which spreads downwards over the neck and throat, is remarkably thick and -heavy. His tail is black above, and light fawn beneath; and a disc of the -latter colour occupies the posterior part of the buttocks, having on each -side a blackish line which separates it from the lighter tinge of the -inside of the thighs. His horns, when properly grown, consist of a broad -burr, from which the pointed basal antler rises almost perpendicularly -to the extent of nine or ten inches; of a stem, which is first directed -outwards, and then forms a bold curve inwards; and of a snag, or second -antler of smaller size, arising from the stem near its extremity on the -posterior and internal side, and forming with it a terminal fork, the -branch however being shorter than the stem, and not exceeding five or six -inches in length. The entire length of the horns is about two feet; they -are of a dark colour, very strong, and deeply furrowed throughout. - -The foregoing description of the horns, it should be observed, is taken -from those of the year before last, which were of the genuine or normal -form. Those of the last year, which are represented in the cut prefixed, -were from some cause or other remarkably different, that of the right -side especially exhibiting a singular monstrosity in the production of -additional branches of irregular form. Whether this was the effect -of disease or of advancing age, or whether it arose solely from some -temporary and accidental cause, will probably be determined by the growth -of the present year, which is not yet sufficiently advanced to enable us -to ascertain its probable form. - -With regard to the sub-orbital sinus, which in this and all the -neighbouring species is of very considerable size, its uses are evidently -connected with the function of respiration, and probably also with the -sense of smell. It is denoted externally by a longitudinal fissure, -placed beneath the inner angle of each of the eyes, and leading into a -sac or cavity, which in some cases communicates internally with the nose; -and its inner surface is lined by a membrane abundantly supplied with -follicles for the secretion of mucus, which is sometimes produced in very -large quantities. This latter circumstance has induced some naturalists -to regard these openings as mere cuticular appendages. That they really, -in some species at least, communicate with the nostrils, is proved by the -observations of Mr. White of Selbourne, who states that in consequence -of this communication the Fallow-Deer are enabled to take long-continued -draughts with their noses deeply immersed in the water, the air in the -mean time passing through the sub-orbital slits. So singular a statement -was naturally enough doubted and called in question; but it has never, -so far as we know, been impugned on ocular testimony; while it has -received the fullest confirmation from other observations made upon the -very species now under consideration, in which the air passing from the -sub-orbital sinus, while the animal drinks, may be felt by the hand, and -even affects the flame of a candle. Another proof of the connexion of -these cavities with the nose is derived from the fact that the animals -which are provided with them frequently apply their orifices, equally -with those of the nostrils, to the food which they are about to take, -opening and shutting them with great rapidity. - -The subject of the present article, which, like all the rest of the minor -group of which he forms a part, is a native of India and of the Indian -Islands, was a present to his Majesty, who kept him for some time, in -company with another of the same species, at large in the great park -at Windsor. As both, however, happened to be males, they disagreed so -violently, and their quarrels at length rose to such a pitch, that in -order to preserve peace it was found absolutely necessary to separate -them; and our animal, as the most outrageous of the two, was dismissed -the royal service, and condemned to the captivity of the Tower. Since -this period he has become exceedingly tame, the cause of his former ill -temper being removed, and demeans himself as quietly as the most harmless -and gentlest of his tribe. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE INDIAN ANTELOPE. - -_ANTILOPE CERVICAPRA._ PALL. - - -In the elegant symmetry of their form and the light and graceful agility -of their motions, the Antelopes are superior even to the Deer, whom, -however, they closely resemble, not merely in outward shape, but also -in internal structure. Like them, in addition to the coincidence of a -slightly made and beautifully proportioned figure, they are frequently -furnished with a naked muzzle, and with the same remarkable sinus beneath -the inner angle of the eye; and their ears are generally of considerable -size, erect, and pointed. But they are strikingly distinguished from them -and from all the other animals of the order by the peculiar character -of their horns, which are formed of an elastic sheath enclosing a -solid nucleus, and are for the most part common to the females as well -as to the males. They have no canine teeth, and exhibit no appearance -of a beard such as is seen in the Goats. The horns vary greatly in the -different races; they are sometimes straight and upright, at other times -slightly curved, and frequently spirally twisted with the most beautiful -regularity: they are usually surrounded by elevated rings or by a spiral -ridge, are constantly of the same form in the same species, and are not -subject to an annual falling off and renewal, as in the Deer, from which -they differ also in their mode of growth, the horns of the latter group -lengthening at their apices, while those of the former receive their -increase at the base. - -In their natural habits the numerous species of which this group -is composed approach very closely to the Deer; there is, however, -considerable variety in their mode of life. They inhabit almost every -description of country; the sandy desert, the open plain, the thicket, -the forest, the mountain, and the precipice, being, each in its turn, the -favourite haunt of the different races; but, with the exception of a few -species, they do not advance much beyond the limits of the tropics. The -smaller ones usually prefer a solitary life, but the larger, for the most -part, congregate together in herds, which are generally few in number. -In their manners they exhibit much of that cautious vigilance and easily -startled timidity, combined with a certain degree of occasional boldness -and not a little curiosity, which are the natural consequences of their -wild and unrestricted habits, of their trivial means of defence against -the numerous enemies to whose attacks they are exposed, and of the -unequalled fleetness of their speed. In some this latter quality consists -of a continued and uniform gallop, which in others is interrupted at -every third or fourth stroke by a long and generally a lofty bound, -producing a beautiful effect by its constant and rapid recurrence. - -The Indian Antelope, of which the specimen in the Tower constitutes -a remarkable and highly interesting variety, is not only one of the -most beautiful, but also the most celebrated species of the group. It -occupies the place of Capricorn in the Indian Zodiac, and is consecrated -to the service of Chandra or the Moon. In size and form it closely -resembles the Gazelle of the Arabs, the well known emblem of maiden -beauty, typified, according to the poets, in the elastic lightness of its -bound, the graceful symmetry of its figure, and the soft lustre of its -full and hazel eye. From this truly elegant creature our Antelope is, -however, essentially distinguished by several striking characters. Its -horns, which are peculiar to the male, are spirally twisted, and form, -when fully grown, three complete turns; they are closely approximated -to each other at the base, but diverge considerably as they proceed -upwards. They occasionally attain a length of nearly two feet, and are -surrounded throughout by elevated and close-set rings. The two horns -taken together have frequently been compared to the branches of a double -lyre. The extremity of the nose is bare, forming a small and moist -muzzle; the sub-orbital openings are larger and more distinct than in -almost any other species; and the ears are pointed and of moderate size. -The natural colours vary with the age of the animal, but correspond in -general pretty closely with those of the common deer. They may be shortly -described as fawn above and whitish beneath, becoming deeper with age, -and lighter in the females than in the males. The occasional stripes of -a lighter or darker colour, which are generally visible on various parts -of the body, can scarcely be considered as occurring with sufficient -regularity to allow of their being described as characteristic of the -species. - -But for these shades of colour, or for any other, we should look in -vain in the animal of the Tower Menagerie, which, in consequence of a -particular conformation, not unfrequent in some species of animals, and -occasionally met with even in the human race, is perfectly and purely -white. In order to explain this phenomenon, which is one of the most -curious, but at the same time one of the most simple in physiology, it -is necessary to observe that there exists beneath the epidermis, or -outer covering of the skin, both in man and animals, a peculiar membrane -of very fine and delicate texture, which is scarcely visible in the -European but sufficiently obvious in the Negro, termed by anatomists the -rete mucosum. In this net-work is secreted, from the extremities of the -minute vessels which terminate upon its surface, a mucous substance which -varies in colour according to the complexion of the individual, of the -varieties in which it is the immediate cause; and from the substance thus -secreted the colouring matter of the hairs and of the iris is derived. -The pure whiteness then of the covering of the animal in question, and -of all those which exhibit a similar variation from their natural tinge, -is attributable solely to the absence of this secretion from whatever -cause. It is always accompanied, as in the present instance, by a redness -of the eyes, arising from the blood-vessels of the iris being exposed -to view in consequence of the want of the usual coating formed by this -secretion, by which they are naturally protected from the too great -influence of the light. In the human race the individuals who are thus -afflicted, characterized by the dull whiteness of their skins, the deep -redness of their eyes, and their colourless, or, as it is generally -termed, flaxen, hair, are called Albinos. They are generally timid in -disposition, languid in character, and weak both in mind and body. The -same original conformation, for it is always born with the individual and -never acquired in after life, although sometimes prolonged beyond its -limits in the shape of an hereditary legacy, is common to many animals. -Perhaps the most familiar instances among these are the white mice, the -white rabbits, and the white pigeons, which are known to every one. But -it has also been occasionally seen in many other species, as monkeys, -squirrels, moles, pigs, and even cows and horses, and, to come a little -closer to our present subject, in goats and deer. Not even that massive -and stupendous beast the Elephant is exempted from its influence. It can -hardly be necessary to recall to the reader the title on which the ruler -of millions of not uncivilized Asiatics, the Burmese monarch, prides -himself more than on any other, inasmuch as it is the emblem of power and -prosperity, that of Lord of the White Elephant; a title, which, while it -demonstrates the fact of the existence of this deviation in the Elephant -as well as in other animals, proves also the extreme rarity of its -occurrence. It has moreover been noticed in many species of birds. - -The present species of Antelope is spread over the whole of the Peninsula -of Hindoostan and a part of Persia; but it is questionable whether it has -been found in Africa, as is commonly asserted. They are said to bound -with apparent ease over a distance of from twenty-five to thirty feet, -and mounting to the height of ten or twelve. It is consequently useless -to attempt to chase them in the common mode with hounds; and their -pursuit is restricted to the higher nobility, who employ for the purpose -either hawks, who pounce upon their quarry and detain it until the dogs -can come up, or Chetahs, who attack them by surprise in the manner before -described. - -The elegant Albino now in the Tower was brought from Bombay by Captain -Dalrymple of the Vansittart, and remained for a considerable time at -Sand Pit Gate, where it was an especial favourite with his Majesty, as -well on account of the gentleness of its disposition, as for its rarity -and beauty. It bears its confinement in the Menagerie with perfect -resignation, and is remarkable for the mildness and tranquillity of its -deportment. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE AFRICAN SHEEP. - -_OVIS ARIES._ LINN.--Var. _GUINEENSIS._ - - -In characterizing the present genus, were we to look solely at the -animal such as we have it daily before our eyes, the distinction between -it and all the other Ruminants is too striking to be for a moment -mistaken. But the insensible gradations which connect this familiar -denizen of our downs and pastures with the untamed native of the desert -and the precipice, and the close affinity which subsists between the -latter and the goats, render it almost impossible to isolate them by -any satisfactory characters. On the present occasion we shall content -ourselves with observing that the sheep may generally be distinguished by -the direction of their horns, by the elevation of their profile, and by -their want of beard: characters neither essential nor infallible, but the -best that can be offered. - -The variety figured over leaf is in one of the many intermediate stages -between unreclaimed barbarism and complete domestication. It is an -awkward looking creature, high on the legs, narrow in the loins, and -covered with a rough and shaggy coat. The back and sides are nearly -black; the shoulders reddish brown; and the posterior part of the body, -the haunches, the hind legs, and the tail, white; as are also the ears, -which are rather large, the nose, and a spot over each eye. The horns, -although the specimen is a male, are remarkably small, and enclose the -ears within their curve. If the ears are freed from their confinement, -the animal becomes very uneasy, and never rests until he has succeeded -in replacing them, which he cannot accomplish without considerable -difficulty. He was presented to the Menagerie by Lord Liverpool about six -years ago, and is extremely mild in his temper. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE GREAT SEA-EAGLE. - -_HALIAETOS OSSIFRAGUS._ SAV. - -THE GOLDEN EAGLE. - -_AQUILA CHRYSAETOS._ SAV. - - -Having in the preceding article terminated the series of Mammiferous -Quadrupeds at present existing in the Tower Menagerie, we must next -direct our attention to the illustration of the Birds, a Class which, -although fully entitled to the second place in the arrangement of the -Animal Kingdom, is separated by a wide and almost unoccupied interval -from that which unquestionably claims the foremost rank. - -To commence then with the Eagles, which form a prominent group of the -Rapacious Order, and are universally regarded as the most majestic, as -well as the most powerful, of birds. In common with the whole Order, -they are remarkable for the strong incurvation of their bill and talons, -the latter of which are four in number on each of the feet, and are -moved by means of a thick and strong muscular apparatus, which gives -to the grasp of the larger species that extreme tenacity by which they -are distinguished, enabling them to seize and carry off fish and birds, -and even quadrupeds of moderate size. This innate propensity to rapine, -derived from their peculiar conformation which renders them essentially -flesh-eaters, indicates at once the analogical relationship borne by the -Rapacious Birds to the Carnivorous Quadrupeds; and the high degree to -which it is carried by the Eagles, their vast powers of flight, their -towering majesty, their irresistible might, their uniform preference of -living victims and rejection of the offal, render them superior to all -other birds, in the same proportion as the Lion is allowed to take the -lead among mammiferous quadrupeds. - -The Eagles, properly so called, are characterized by a head covered with -plumage and flattened above; eyes large, lateral, and deep-seated; a -bill of great strength, arched and hooked at its extremity alone, and -furnished at its base with a naked membrane, called the cere, in which -the openings of the nostrils are situated; the wings broad and powerful; -the tarsus, or that joint of each leg which is immediately above the -toes, strong, short, and covered with feathers down to the very base; the -toes thick and naked, three of them pointing forwards, and the fourth -constantly directed backwards; and the talons of great power and strongly -curved. The Golden Eagle, which occupies the right hand in the cut, is -frequently three feet and a half in length from the extremity of the -beak to that of the tail. His general colour is blackish brown both above -and below, assuming on the legs a grayish or sometimes a reddish tinge. -His beak is bluish black, covered at the base by a yellow cere; and -his toes, which are also yellow, terminate in strong black talons, the -posterior one of which frequently attains an enormous length. He is met -with throughout the Old Continent, and more especially within the limits -of the temperate zone, building his aiery, which he shares with a single -female, in the clefts of the loftiest rock, or among the topmost branches -of the alpine forest. From this retreat he towers aloft in search of his -prey, which he pursues by sight alone, subsisting principally on other -birds and on the smaller quadrupeds, which he carries off in his powerful -clutch. When his hunger is extreme he sometimes pounces upon the larger -animals; but in such circumstances he is compelled to content himself -with sucking their blood upon the spot, and with stripping off portions -of their flesh, on which to satiate his appetite at home. Instances have -been known of his attaining in captivity to an age of more than a hundred -years. - -The principal distinguishing mark of the group which has been separated -under the name of the Sea-Eagles, consists in the plumage of the tarsus, -which in the latter extends only half way down, the lower part being -consequently left entirely bare. The species figured on the left, at the -head of this article, is commonly more than three feet in length, and -the expansion of his wings measures seven or eight feet. His bill is -usually of a bluish black colour towards the extremity, and yellow at -the base. His general hue is blackish brown, deeper above than beneath, -and relieved on the breast and under parts by numerous white spots. The -larger feathers of his wings are nearly black; but those of the tail are -not so deeply tinged. The naked portion of the legs, as also the toes, -are covered with bright yellow scales; and the talons are of a bright -black. - -The Great Sea-Eagle is a native of the Northern Hemisphere, in the colder -regions of which he appears to be most at home. He builds his nest in -similar situations with the last, but prefers the neighbourhood of the -sea, or of lakes and rivers, over which he is frequently to be seen, -especially in the morning and towards nightfall, hovering in quest of -prey, and pouncing down upon the fish which rise to the surface, or even -diving after those which are visible beneath. These form his principal -sustenance; but he seldom suffers flesh or fowl to escape him if they -chance to fall in his way. His flight is less rapid and less lofty than -that of the Golden Eagle; and he neither perceives his prey at such a -distance, nor pursues it with such pertinacity. - -The noble birds which illustrate the present article were presents from -the Marchioness of Londonderry. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BEARDED GRIFFIN. - -_GYPAETOS BARBATUS._ STORR. - - -The Bearded Griffin takes an intermediate station between the Eagles -and the Vultures, with the former of which it agrees more closely in -general appearance and external form, and with the latter in internal -structure and habits. The principal point in which it differs from them -both consists in the tuft of bristly hairs which take their origin partly -from the cere that covers the base of the beak, and partly from the under -mandible, and are directed outwards and downwards in such a manner as -to give rise to that appearance from which the bird has received his -epithet of Bearded. His beak is strongly arched at the extremity, and -is remarkable for its great vertical thickness, more especially at the -point where the curvature commences. His head, flat like that of the -Eagle, is covered with short feathers, which are of a dirty white; and -his eyes are nearly on the same plane with the surface of his head. The -general tint of his plumage is blackish brown above and grayish fawn -beneath, and his legs are feathered with the latter colour down to the -very toes, which are long and grayish. His claws are of moderate length -and curved; but the force of his clutch is far inferior to that of the -Eagles. - -The Bearded Griffin is the largest European bird of prey, and builds its -aiery among the loftiest precipices of nearly all the alpine chains of -the Old Continent. Here it displays the tyranny, but not the courage, of -the Eagle, attacking such living animals only as are likely to fall an -easy prey, and gorging in troops with all the rapacity of Vultures upon -the most corrupted carrion. - -The individual figured is a fine specimen, but is not yet in perfect -plumage. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE GRIFFON VULTURE. - -_VULTUR FULVUS._ LINN. - - -If the Eagles are considered as bearing a close analogy to the more -noble and perfect among the Carnivorous Quadrupeds, such as the Lion and -the Tiger, which live in solitary grandeur and attack none but living -victims, the Vultures may, with equal propriety, be regarded as the -representatives of the Jackal, the Wolf, the Hyæna, and other inferior -animals of that Order, which hunt in packs and prey upon carrion. Endowed -like these animals with an extreme fineness of scent, they are attracted -by the smell of dead, and more especially of putrid, carcases, at an -immense and almost incredible distance; and usually assemble in vast -numbers to glut themselves upon the disgusting banquet on the field -of recent battle, or wherever the work of carnage has been carried -to any great extent. Under such circumstances, however horrible that -propensity may appear which leads them to prey upon the unburied corpses, -they unquestionably fulfil a wise provision of nature by removing from -the surface of the earth a mass of corruption and putridity which in -the warmer climates where they abound would otherwise taint the very -atmosphere, and might possibly give rise to diseases still more fatal -in their effects than the malignant passions of man himself, from which -the destruction sprung. But although such a scene affords the greatest -scope for the indulgence of their depraved appetites, and consequently -congregates them together in the largest numbers, it is happily of rare -occurrence, and their usual subsistence is derived from the bodies of -dead animals. To these they are attracted by the smell, and frequently in -flocks so numerous as actually to cover and conceal the object of their -attack, from which they tear away large gobbets, and swallow them entire -and with insatiable avidity, never ceasing while yet a morsel remains. -It is only when hard pressed by hunger that they venture to attack a -living creature; and their ravages of this kind are always confined to -the peaceful and timid denizens of the poultry-yard. They never carry off -their victims in their talons, but uniformly devour them upon the spot; -and even that portion of their prey which they transport to their young -is first swallowed, and afterwards disgorged in the nest. - -These peculiarities of habit, by which the Vultures are strikingly -contrasted not merely with the Eagles, but even with the smallest of -the Falcon tribe, are the necessary result of their organisation. Their -beak, it is true, is like that of the Eagles strongly curved at the -point alone, and they also possess all the technical characters of the -Rapacious Order; but their talons are far inferior, both in size and in -the degree of their curvature, and they are consequently unable to grasp -their prey with sufficient force to transport it through the air. Their -diminished power of flight renders them incapable of soaring upwards -to search abroad with piercing eye for the objects of their rapacity; -and they are therefore left dependent upon the acute sensibility of -their nostrils, which amply supplies the deficiency. Of the external -characters which they exhibit the most remarkable is derived from the -want of plumage on the head and neck, which are covered in the greater -number of the species by nothing more than a sort of down or by short and -smooth hairs. The object of this provision appears to be to enable them -to bury as it were their heads in the carrion on which they feed, without -exposing their plumage to be soiled by the filth which it might otherwise -contract. Their eyes are placed on a level with their cheeks; their heads -are rounded above; they have most frequently a ruff of considerable -extent round the lower part of their necks; and their legs are usually -bare of feathers and covered with large scales. Their very attitudes -offer the most perfect contrast to those of the Eagles; the latter -constantly maintaining a bold upright posture, with their wings closely -pressed to their sides, and their tails elevated, while the Vultures on -the contrary are always seen bending forwards in a crouching position, -with their wings depressed and separated from their bodies, and their -tails trailing upon the ground. - -The Griffon Vulture is equal in size to the larger species of Eagle; -his head and neck are covered with short white down, and the latter is -ornamented at its base with an extensive ruff of long feathers of a -clear and brilliant white. The plumage of the body is reddish gray; the -quill-feathers of the wings and tail are of a blackish brown; and the -beak and claws are nearly black. He is a native of the greater part of -Europe and of Asia, and inhabits during the summer the more elevated -regions of the two continents, building his nest in the rocks and among -inaccessible precipices. In the winter he is said to migrate to warmer -and more temperate climes. His habits are precisely those of the rest of -the group to which he belongs. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE SECRETARY BIRD. - -_GYPOGERANUS SERPENTARIUS._ ILLIG. - - -The singular conformation of this bird, so different in many respects -from that of the Order to which both in its leading characters and in -its habits it obviously belongs, rendered it for a long time one of the -torments of ornithologists, who puzzled themselves in vain to assign it a -definitive place in the system, and could not agree even with regard to -the grand division of the class to which it ought to be referred. Thus M. -Temminck was at one time inclined to refer it to the Gallinaceous Order; -and M. Vieillot, after repeatedly changing his mind upon the subject, -at last arranged it among the Waders, with which it has absolutely -nothing in common except the length of its legs. It appears, however, -to be now almost universally admitted that its closest affinity is with -the Vultures, with which it agrees in the most essential particulars -of its organization, and from which it differs chiefly in certain -external characters alone, which unquestionably give to it an aspect -exceedingly distinct, but are not of themselves of sufficient importance -to authorize its removal to a distant part of the classification. It -constitutes in fact one of those mixed and aberrant forms by means of -which the arbitrary divisions of natural objects established by man -are so frequently assimilated to each other in the most beautiful, and -occasionally in the most unexpected, manner. - -The principal generic characters of the Secretary consist in the form -of his beak, which is shorter than the head, thick, and curved nearly -from the very base, where it is covered with a cere; in the long and -unequal feathers which take their origin from the back of his head, and -are susceptible of elevation and depression; in the naked skin which -surrounds his eye, and which is shaded by a series of hairs in the form -of an eyebrow; in the great length and slenderness of his tarsi, which -form his most striking characteristic in an Order remarkable for a -structure exactly the reverse; and in the shortness of his toes, which -are terminated by blunted talons of little comparative size or curvature. -The only known species measures upwards of three feet in length. Its -plumage, when in a perfect state, is for the most part of a bluish gray, -with a shade of reddish brown on the wings, the large quill-feathers of -which are black. The throat and breast are nearly white, and the rest -of the under surface of the body offers a mixture of black, red, and -white, the plumage of the legs being of a bright black, intermingled -with scarcely perceptible brownish rays. The plumes of the crest which -ornaments the back of the head, and from the supposed resemblance of -which to the pens frequently stuck behind the ears of clerks and other -writers the name of Secretary was given to the bird, are destitute of -barbs at the base, but spread out as they advance, and are coloured -with a mixture of black and gray. Each of the wings is armed with three -rounded bony projections, with which, as well as with his feet, the bird -attacks and destroys his prey. - -In his habits he partly resembles both the Eagle and the Vulture, but -differs from them most completely in the nature of his prey and in his -mode of attacking it. Like the former he always prefers live flesh -to carrion; but the food to which he is most particularly attached -consists of snakes and other reptiles, for the destruction of which he -is admirably fitted by his organization. The length of his legs not only -enables him to pursue these creatures over the sandy deserts which he -inhabits with a speed proportioned to their own, but also places his more -vulnerable parts in some measure above the risk of their venomous bite; -and the imperfect character of his talons, when compared with those of -other rapacious birds, is in complete accordance with the fact that his -feet are destined rather to inflict powerful blows, than to seize and -carry off his prey. When he falls upon a serpent, he first attacks it -with the bony prominences of his wings, with one of which he belabours -it, while he guards his body by the expansion of the other. He then -seizes it by the tail and mounts with it to a considerable height in the -air, from which he drops it to the earth, and repeats this process until -the reptile is either killed or wearied out; when he breaks open its -skull by means of his beak, and tears it in pieces with the assistance of -his claws, or, if not too large, swallows it entire. - -Like the Eagles these birds live in pairs, and not in flocks; they build -their aiery, if so it may be termed, on the loftiest trees, or, where -these are wanting, in the most bushy and tufted thickets. They run with -extreme swiftness, trusting, when pursued, rather to their legs than to -their wings; and as they are generally met with in the open country, it -is with difficulty that they can be approached sufficiently near for -the sportsman to obtain a shot at them. They are natives of the south -of Africa, and appear to be tolerably numerous in the neighbourhood of -the Cape; where, it is said, they have been tamed to such a degree as -to render them useful inmates of the poultry-yard, in which they not -only destroy the snakes and rats which are too apt to intrude upon those -precincts, but even contribute to the maintenance of peace among its more -authentic inhabitants by interposing in their quarrels and separating the -furious combatants who disturb it by their brawls. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE VIRGINIAN HORNED-OWL. - -_STRIX VIRGINIANA._ LINN. - - -All the preceding birds belong to that division of the Rapacious Order -which pursue their prey in the open face of day, and are consequently -termed Diurnal; but those which we have now to notice are on the contrary -Nocturnal in their habits, and only venture abroad in the shades of the -evening, or under cover of the darkness of the night. They are readily -distinguished from the former by their short and compressed bill, curved -from its very base; by the anterior position of their eyes, which are of -great size and surrounded by a circular disc of stiff hairs and feathers, -covering the base of the bill anteriorly and extending posteriorly over -the ears, which, as well as the disc, vary considerably in size in the -different races; by the great extent of dilatation of which their pupils -are capable, a provision admirably calculated for enabling them to see by -night; by the breadth and apparent bulk of their heads and bodies, both -of which are thickly clothed with long and soft feathers; by the plumage -of their legs, which in all the European species is continued down to -the very toes, and sometimes even along them; by the direction of their -toes, which are all naturally turned forwards, the external one being, -however, capable of taking an opposite direction; and by the high degree -of retractility and sharpness of their claws. - -All these birds were comprehended by Linnæus under the generic name -of Strix, but later naturalists have subdivided them into several -genera, dependent on the size of the ears and of the ocular discs, on -the presence or absence of two remarkable tufts of feathers on the -head having somewhat the appearance of horns, and on the covering of -the legs and feet. The Virginian Horned Owl is spread over nearly the -whole continent of America from north to south. Its plumage is brown -above, marked with numerous transverse black stripes, and the feathers -of the under surface are of a dirty white, transversely striped with -blackish-brown. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE DEEP BLUE MACAW. - -_ANODORHYNCHUS MAXIMILIANI._ SPIX. - - -The second Order of Birds, which comprehends both the Picæ and Passeres -of Linnæus, is essentially distinguished from the rest of the class by -the structure of the feet, which are formed for perching. Those of the -Scansorial tribe in particular, to which all the species to be here -noticed belong, have two of the toes directed forwards, and the remaining -two directed backwards, in such a manner as to enable them to grasp -the branch of a tree or other similar objects with peculiar firmness, -and consequently to climb with more than usual agility. This section -comprehends some of the most gorgeously coloured and splendid among -birds, as well as those which evince the highest degree of intelligence, -in the imitation especially of the human voice, for which they have been -celebrated from the earliest times. - -The beautiful bird, the portrait of which is prefixed to the present -article, is one of the rarest of its tribe, and has until very lately -been confounded by ornithologists with the Hyacinthine Macaw, a fine but -much less splendid species. It is figured by M. Spix in his Brazilian -Birds under the name which we have adopted; but is there given without -either characters or description. Its claim to generic distinction -would seem to depend on the excessive length and powerful curvature of -its claws and upper mandible, and on the slight developement of the -toothlike process of the latter. Its colour is throughout of a deep and -brilliant blue; the beak, legs, and claws, are black; and the cere and a -naked circle round each of the eyes are of a bright yellow. Our specimen -measures two feet four inches from the top of the head to the extremity -of the tail, and the expansion of his wings is four feet. The length of -the upper mandible is five inches, and that of the lower, two. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW. - -_MACROCERCUS ARARAUNA._ VIEILL. - - -The genus Macrocercus is characterized by the robustness of its beak, -which is extremely broad and powerful; by the nakedness of its face, -which is sometimes entirely bare, and sometimes partially covered with -lines of short and scattered feathers; and by the size and form of its -tail, which is longer than the body, regularly graduated, and terminating -in an acute apex. The whole of the species are American, and are -remarkable for the brilliancy of their colours, which are perhaps more -varied and more gaudy than those of any of the other modern divisions -of the Linnean genus Psittacus. They are consequently more sought after -as objects of luxury and elegance, and bear a higher comparative value -than the rest of the Parrots. In common with the entire tribe, they -inhabit the tropical regions of the earth, and live chiefly upon fruits -and seeds. Among the latter they uniformly give the preference to such as -are provided with a hard and shelly covering. These they crack with great -dexterity, carefully rejecting the outer coat, and swallowing only the -internal nut. - -The Blue and Yellow Macaw is one of the finest of the group. The whole of -its upper surface is covered with plumage of the most beautiful azure; -the feathers of the under parts on the contrary are of a brilliant -yellow. The naked part of the cheeks, which are white slightly tinged -with flesh colour, is ornamented with three lines of minute blackish -feathers; and the throat is surrounded by a broad collar of greenish -black. The forehead is yellowish green. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOO. - -_PLYCTOLOPHUS SULPHUREUS._ VIEILL. - - -The Cockatoos have a strong, broad, and well curved beak; their eyes -are surrounded by a naked space; their tail is short, square, and equal -at the end; and their head is furnished with a remarkable crest of -long and slender feathers, which may be raised or depressed at will, -and are frequently of a different colour from the rest of the plumage. -This latter character forms the most distinguishing mark of the group, -which is partly indigenous to India and the Indian Islands, and partly -to Australia. They are fond of damp and marshy situations, and usually -inhabit the neighbourhood of rivers or of smaller streams, in which they -indulge themselves with frequent bathing, a practice in which, even in -captivity, they seem, in common with many others of the tribe, to take -a particular pleasure. Like the rest of the Parrots they live entirely -on vegetable substances, and chiefly upon seeds; some of them, however, -are said to feed upon roots. Their usual nourishment, in a domesticated -state, is the same with that of the other Parrots, consisting generally -of nothing more than hemp-seed, from which they detach the outer covering -with much adroitness. They have also a great relish for sweetmeats and -pastry. - -The present species is pure white throughout, with the exception of its -crest, the longer feathers of which are bright yellow; and of the under -surface of the wings and tail, which are straw-coloured, as are also -occasionally the cheeks. The beak is nearly black. It is a native of the -Moluccas, and is not unfrequently brought to Europe. It is remarkably -intelligent, and becomes attached to those who show it kindness. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE EMEU. - -_DROMICEIUS NOVÆ HOLLANDIÆ._ VIEILL. - - -The New Holland Emeu, as well as the Ostrich and the Cassowary, to both -of which it is nearly related, is now generally regarded as belonging to -the Rasorial Order, the Gallinaæ of Linnæus, the feet of which are formed -for running and for scratching up the earth in search of the seeds which -constitute their usual subsistence. Some of the birds, however, which are -referred to it, and particularly those now under consideration, feed upon -fruits and roots. The whole of the Order are distinguished by a certain -degree of convexity on the upper surface of the bill, the base of which -is enveloped by a membrane, in which are situated the nostrils covered -by a cartilaginous scale; by the muscular plumpness of their bodies, -and especially of their legs; by the shortness of their wings, and the -diminution of strength in their pectoral muscles; and by the thickness -and strength of their anterior toes, generally three in number, united -at the base alone by a connecting membrane, and roughened beneath. These -characters conjoined sufficiently indicate that their proper place of -abode is the surface of the earth, on which they are enabled to run -with a greater or less degree of speed; and that the air, in which they -are incapable of elevating themselves to any considerable height, or -of propelling their flight with more than moderate swiftness, and into -which some of them cannot even raise themselves at all, is an uncongenial -element to which they can seldom resort. They furnish the principal and -most useful breeds of our domestic poultry, and stock our farm-yards with -their most valuable inhabitants. - -The distinctive generic characters of the New Holland Emeu, which forms -part of the Ostrich family, and is, with the sole exception of the -Ostrich, the largest bird known to exist, consist in the flattening of -its bill from above downwards, instead of from side to side; in the -absence of the bony process which crests the head of the Cassowary, of -the wattles which depend from his neck, and of the long spurlike shafts -which arm his wings; and in the equal, or nearly equal, length of all -his claws. The Emeus, however, agree with the Cassowaries in the number -of their toes, three on each foot, all of them directed forwards and -extremely thick and short, the posterior toe, which is common to most of -the Order, being in them entirely wanting; in the excessive shortness -of their wings, which do not even, as is the case with the Ostriches, -assist them in running, much less in flight, of which, in common with -the latter, they are absolutely incapable; and in the structure of their -feathers, which are for the most part double, each tube being divided -near its origin into two shafts, the barbs of which are soft, downy, and -distinct from each other, and assume at a distance rather the appearance -of a silky covering of hair than that of the common plumage of birds. - -The New Holland bird has the head and upper part of the neck thinly -covered with slender black feathers; the space around the ears alone -being left bare, and exhibiting, as well as the neck and throat, which -are but partially concealed by the scattered plumage with which they -are provided, the blue tinge of the skin. The general colour of the -plumage is grayish brown above, with a more plentiful intermixture of -the gray and a consequent lighter tinge beneath. The young are striped -longitudinally with brown and gray. Their bill is black, and their legs -are remarkably thick and of a dull brown. The great length of the latter -and of the neck, and the erect attitude and quiet demeanour of these -birds, which sometimes attain as much as seven feet in height, give them -altogether a noble and imposing appearance. They were formerly common -in the neighbourhood of Botany Bay, subsisting, like the rest of their -tribe, upon vegetable substances, chiefly fruits. They are extremely -wild, and run with great swiftness when pursued, outstripping it is said -the fleetness of the greyhound. Like the Kanguroos, they are sometimes -hunted by the colonists as articles of food; and their flesh is stated to -have much of the flavour of beef. The quantity of provision supplied by -one of these birds is by no means inconsiderable. - -The animals of the part of New Holland from which these birds are derived -appear in general to suffer little from their transportation to the -climate of England. The Emeus, like the Kanguroos, have become to a -certain extent naturalized in the Royal Park at Windsor, where they breed -without difficulty and with no extraordinary precautions. Here they have -assigned to them a sufficient space of ground to take ample exercise; -and this circumstance contributes not a little to the thriving condition -in which they are met with. They are perfectly harmless unless when -irritated or pursued, in which case they sometimes strike very severe -blows with their beaks, which are extremely hard. The pair in the Tower -were obtained from this establishment, where they were bred. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE CROWNED CRANE. - -_ANTHROPOIDES PAVONINUS._ VIEILL. - - -The fourth Order of Birds, the Waders, are strikingly characterized by -the great length of their legs, the lower part of which is entirely bare -of feathers; a peculiarity which is of essential service by enabling them -to stand for a long time in the water without injury to their plumage, -watching for the fish and reptiles, of which the larger species, and the -worms and insects, of which the smaller among them, make their usual prey. - -The beautiful birds represented above, which formed part of the Linnean -genus Ardea, since subdivided into numerous distinct groups, offer the -following generic characters. Their bill is conical, pointed, scarcely -longer than the head, and grooved along its upper surface; their head -is ornamented with a crest of long and slender filamentous feathers, -capable of being raised and depressed at pleasure; their wings are large -and powerful; their legs are covered with large scales; the outer and -middle toes are united at the base; and their claws are short and without -denticulations. - -The Crowned Crane is remarkable for its light and elegant proportions, -and for its graceful and varied attitudes. Its forehead is covered by a -thick tuft of short velvety feathers of a soft and brilliant black; its -naked cheeks and temples are of a delicate rose colour; and the yellow -filaments of its crest terminate in blackish pencils. The long and -slender feathers which descend upon its neck, and the broader ones which -clothe the upper and under surface of its body are black with a slight -tinge of lead-colour; the primary wing-feathers are also black, the -secondary reddish-brown, and the wing-coverts white. The bill and legs -are black. It is a native of Western Africa; is extremely tame, and may -be readily domesticated. It frequently attains the height of four feet. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE PELICAN. - -_PELECANUS ONOCROTALUS._ LINN. - - -The Pelican affords an excellent illustration of the fifth and last Order -of Birds, the Swimmers; the essential character of which consists in the -membranous union of the toes, which renders them what is usually termed -web-footed, and enables them to propel themselves upon the surface of the -water with greater or less rapidity in proportion to the greater or less -comparative extent of the membrane in which their toes are enveloped. -They are all consequently inhabitants of marshy situations, of the banks -of rivers and lakes, or of the seacoast; and most of them seek their -subsistence in their most congenial element, the water, notwithstanding -that by far the greater number of them are also endowed with very -considerable powers of flight. - -Linnæus united under the common title of Pelicans, the Cormorants, the -Boobies, and several other birds, which differ from the typical species -of the genus by many important characters, the chief point of agreement -between them consisting in the form and extent of the membrane which -unites the toes. The Linnean group has subsequently been raised to the -rank of a family, and its component parts form several distinct genera, -that which comprehends the true Pelicans, the genus Onocrotalus of -Brisson, being characterized as follows. Their bill is of very great -length, straight, broad, flattened above, and terminated by a slight -hook; the lower mandible consists of two lateral branches, united at the -point, and having interposed between them a membranous pouch capable of -very great dilatation; their four toes are all enveloped to the very apex -in the common membrane; their legs are short, strong, and maintain the -body in a state of equilibrium, their lower part being entirely destitute -of feathers. - -With the exception of the quill-feathers of the wings, which are black, -the plumage of the Pelican in the Tower is throughout of an extremely -light and delicate flesh-colour, varied only by occasional darker tinges. -The head and upper part of the neck are clothed with a short down, except -on the temples, which are naked and flesh-coloured; the upper mandible is -of a dull yellow in the middle, with a reddish tinge towards the edges, -and a blood-red spot on its curved extremity; and the pouch is of a -bright straw-colour. - -The Pelican is one of the largest water-birds, considerably exceeding -the size of the swan, and frequently measuring from five to six feet -between the extremity of the bill and that of the tail, and from ten to -twelve between the tips of the expanded wings. Its bill is nearly a foot -and a half in length, and from an inch and a half to two inches broad; -and its pouch is capable of containing, when stretched to its utmost -extent, two or three gallons of water. The quantity of fish which it -sometimes accumulates in the same serviceable repository is spoken of as -enormous. Notwithstanding their great bulk and apparent clumsiness, the -large extent of their wings, and the extreme lightness of their bones, -which are so thin as to be almost transparent, enable these birds to rise -to a lofty pitch in the air, to hover at a moderate elevation, or to skim -rapidly along the surface of the water with as much facility as they -dive into its depths in pursuit of their prey. They sometimes assemble -in large numbers, and in this case are said by Buffon to act in concert, -and to show no little skill in manœuvring with the view of securing a -plentiful quarry, forming themselves into a circular line, and gradually -narrowing the extent of the space enclosed, until they have driven the -fishes into so small a compass as to render them a certain prey; when -at a given signal they all at once plunge into the water and seize upon -their terrified victims, filling their pouches with the spoil, and flying -to the land, there to devour it at their leisure. This fishery is carried -on both at sea and in fresh water. - -They are found in nearly every part of the globe, but are of rare -occurrence in the north of Europe. The beautiful pair figured at the head -of this article are said to be from Hungary. The female is now sitting -upon three eggs, and has built herself a very perfect nest for the -purpose. Should these be brought to maturity, as there is every reason -to expect, they will probably be the first that were ever hatched in -England. She never quits her charge; but is fed by the male, who crams -his pouch with double his usual allowance, and then proceeds to shovel -her fair share into his partner’s throat. It is in this manner also -that the young are fed, the old bird pressing his full pouch against -his chest, and contriving thus to disgorge a portion of its contents; -an action which has no doubt given rise to the fabulous notion of the -Pelican’s feeding its young with its own blood. In fact, the appearance -of the bird when in this attitude, with the bloody spot on the end of -its bill closely pressed against the delicate plumage of its breast, -may readily account for the prevalence of such an idea in the minds of -superficial observers. The first traces of this fable are to be found -in the writings of some of the early fathers of the church, and it was -eagerly adopted by the heralds of later days, whose unbounded credulity -was ever on the watch for the marvellous, in natural history more -especially. - -Our birds are commonly allowed three dozen of small live plaice each per -day. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE ALLIGATOR. - -_CROCODILUS LUCIUS._ CUV. - - -The enormous Reptile from which this genus derives its name belongs to -the same subdivision of that class as the agile Lizard and the many-hued -Chamæleon, with which it was comprehended by Linnæus under the single -generic title of Lacerta. This group has subsequently been elevated to -the rank of an order, consisting of numerous genera, among which the -Crocodiles are distinguished by the following characters. Their toes are -five in number on the anterior feet, and four on the posterior; their -sharp and conical teeth are arranged in a single series in each jaw; -their tongue is flat, fleshy, and closely attached almost to its very -edge; and their bodies are clothed with large, thick, square scales, the -upper of which are surmounted by a strong keel, those of the tail forming -superiorly a dentated crest, double at its origin. - -The Alligators constitute a natural subdivision of the genus, in which -the snout is broad, blunt, and less produced than in the true Crocodiles; -the fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw enters a hole in the -upper when the mouth is closed; and the toes are only half-webbed. They -appear to be exclusively natives of America. The present species is -distinguished by its broad and flat snout, with nearly parallel sides, -united in front by a curved line; by the peculiar arrangement of its -nuchal scales; and by the elevated internal margins of its orbits. Its -colour is dark brown above, and somewhat lighter beneath. It is one of -the most dreadful scourges of the countries which it inhabits, preying -upon all kinds of animals that come within its reach, and sometimes even -upon man himself. Our specimen was apparently very young, not measuring -more than three feet in length; but during two years that it was kept in -the Menagerie it was not observed to have at all increased in size. It -was fed once a week upon raw beef. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE INDIAN BOA. - -_PYTHON TIGRIS._ DAUD. - - -The Serpents form a division of the Reptile Class too well known by their -elongated scaly bodies, and their total deprivation of external members, -to require any minute description of their organization. They are also -held by the generality of mankind in so much abhorrence, and regarded -for the most part with such strong feelings of unmitigated disgust, that -we feel but little inclined to dwell upon their history, how much soever -they may on many accounts be considered as deserving of a more extended -notice. - -They are frequently divided into two great sections; the one, which is by -far the most numerous, comprehending all those in which the poison-fangs -are wanting, and which are consequently dangerous only in proportion to -the extent of their muscular force; and the other consisting of those -in which the fangs are present, and the bite of which is accompanied -with the pouring out of a venomous secretion. At the head of the first -of these divisions rank the Boas, which in the Linnean arrangement -comprehended all those snakes, whether venomous or not, whose under -surface was covered with narrow transverse plates, and whose tail was -destitute of rattle. Later zoologists have, however, confined that -appellation to those among the Linnean Boas, which are without poisonous -fangs and have claws near the vent, and have regarded as a distinct genus -the snakes which in addition to these latter characters have the scales -of the under surface of the tail so arranged as to form two distinct -rows. To the latter, which inhabit the Old Continent exclusively (while -the former are all of them natives of America), they have assigned the -name of Python. - -The present species, which is commonly exhibited under the popular but -erroneous title of the Boa Constrictor, appears to be the Pedda Poda of -Dr. Russell’s Indian Serpents. It is said by that writer to attain a -length of eight or ten feet; but living specimens have been brought to -this country of twice that size, and some of those now in the Tower are -fifteen or sixteen feet long. The number of transverse plates on the -under surface of the body is stated to be two hundred and fifty-two, -and that of the pairs of scales beneath the tail sixty-two. The back is -elegantly marked with a series of large irregular brown blotches bordered -with black; and numerous smaller spots are scattered along the sides. -The ground colour is yellowish brown, lighter beneath. - -The extent of muscular power which these serpents possess in common -with the Boas is truly wonderful. To the smaller among them the lesser -quadrupeds and even birds fall an easy prey; but the larger, when excited -by the stimulus of hunger, are capable of crushing within their spiral -folds the largest and most powerful of beasts. The sturdy buffalo and the -agile stag become alike the victims of their fatal embrace; and the bulk -of these animals presents but little obstacle to their being swallowed -entire by the tremendous reptile, which crushes them as it were into a -mass, lubricates them with the fetid mucus secreted in its stomach, and -then slowly distending its jaws and œsophagus to an extent proportioned -to the magnitude of the object to be devoured, and frequently exceeding -by many times its own previous size, swallows it by one gradual and -long-continued effort. - -Of the mode in which this operation is effected, a detailed description -is contained in Macleod’s Voyage of His Majesty’s Ship Alceste; and an -excellent account has been subsequently given by Mr. Broderip in the -second volume of the Zoological Journal from actual observation of the -specimens now in the Tower. The vivid description of the latter almost -brings before the reader’s eye the lightning dash of the serpent; the -single scream of its instantly enfolded victim, whose heaving flanks -proclaimed that it still breathed; and its last desperate effort, -succeeded by the application of another and a deadly coil. With equal -force and fidelity it sketches the continuation of the scene, when the -serpent, after slowly disengaging his folds, placed his head opposite -to that of his victim, coiled himself once more around it to compress it -into the narrowest possible compass, and then gradually propelled it into -his separated jaws and dilated throat; and finally presents a disgusting -picture of the snake when his meal was at an end, with his loose and -apparently dislocated jaws dropping with the superfluous mucus which had -been poured forth. - -The individual figured at the head of the present article is a female; -a fact which was proved by the remarkable circumstance of her producing -in May last, after having been more than two years in the Menagerie, a -cluster of eggs, fourteen or fifteen in number, none of which, however, -were hatched, although the mother evinced the greatest anxiety for -their preservation, coiling herself around them in the form of a cone, -of which her head formed the summit, and guarding them from external -injury with truly maternal solicitude. They were visible only when she -was occasionally roused; in which case she raised her head, which formed -as it were the cover of the receptacle in which they were enclosed, but -replaced it again as quickly as possible, allowing to the spectator only -a momentary glance at her cherished treasures. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE ANACONDA. - -_PYTHON TIGRIS_, Var. - - -The Anaconda is a name which, like that of the Boa Constrictor, has been -popularly applied to all the larger and more powerful snakes. It appears -to be of Ceylonese origin, and may therefore belong of right, as well as -of usage, to the present Indian species. The serpent which passes under -this title at the Tower, and which is figured above, seems to differ in -no essential respects from the Boa of the preceding article, the only -appreciable distinctions between them consisting in the lighter colour, -the greater comparative size of the head, and the acuteness of the tail -of that which at present engages our attention. - -Happily the appetite of these gigantic snakes bears no proportion to -their means of gratifying it, as a full meal is uniformly succeeded by -a state of torpor, which frequently lasts for a month or six weeks, or, -during the cold season, even for a longer period. Those in the Tower, -which are kept in a state of artificial warmth, usually feed about every -five or six weeks, and a fowl or a rabbit generally suffices for a meal. -These are held by the keeper within view of the serpent to ascertain -whether he is inclined to take his prey or not. About three years ago -Mr. Cops, while thus engaged in offering a fowl to one of the Boas, -had nearly met with a serious accident; the snake, which was almost -blind from the approaching change of its skin, missing the fowl, and -seizing upon the keeper’s thumb instead, around which and its own head -it instantaneously threw two coils, and then, as if surprised at the -unexpected resistance, cast an additional fold round his neck, and fixed -itself by its tail to one of the posts of its cage in such a manner as -nearly to throttle him. His own exertions, however, aided by those of the -under keepers, at length disengaged him from his perilous situation; but -so determined was the attack of the snake that it could not be compelled -to relinquish its hold until two of its teeth had been broken off and -left in the thumb. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE RATTLESNAKE. - -_CROTALUS HORRIDUS._ LINN. - - -If the Boas furnish the most terrible examples of the tremendous powers -of destruction possessed by a few of that division of the Serpent tribe, -whose bite is unattended with the effusion of venom, the Rattlesnakes -afford a no less remarkable instance of the dreadful malignity of the -poison with which others of the tribe are so abundantly supplied. This -poison is secreted by a gland of considerable size situated beneath the -eye, the excretory duct of which terminates on each side at the base -of a long and tubular fang in the upper jaw, which is concealed while -the animal is at rest in a fold of the gum, but is capable of being -instantaneously erected when he is irritated, and affords at the same -time the means of inflicting the wound and of insinuating into it the -deadly fluid with which it is charged. In the Rattlesnakes these two -fangs are the only visible teeth implanted in the upper jaw; but behind -each of them are several rudiments of others by which they are from time -to time replaced. Their other distinguishing characters consist in the -whole of the transverse plates which cover the under surface of the body -and of the tail being simple, and in the singular apparatus by which -the latter is terminated, and which is formed of a series, more or less -numerous according to the age of the individual, of flattened rings -loosely attached one within the other in such a manner as to produce -a peculiar rattling sound when the tail is moved with any degree of -quickness. The number of rings commonly varies from five to twelve; but -in very old specimens it is said to have been found to exceed forty. - -All the known species are natives of America, in the vast forests of -which they may be said literally to swarm; but happily, like most of the -other venomous snakes, they never exert their terrible qualities upon man -except in self-defence, and the warning rattle is always heard to give -notice of their approach. Their bite is almost uniformly fatal even to -the largest animals, and the latter frequently evince such an instinctive -dread of them, that, according to M. Bosc, it is almost impossible to -compel a horse or a dog to advance towards them. Their food consists -principally of the smaller quadrupeds, such as squirrels and rabbits, of -other reptiles, and of birds, although they rarely climb trees in pursuit -of their prey. It was long believed, and the notion is still popularly -current, that they possessed the power of fascinating their victims, -which were thought to be so completely under the influence of their -glance as to precipitate themselves of their own accord into the open -throat of their enemy; but the truth appears to be that they actually -inspire so great a degree of terror that the animals selected for their -attacks are commonly rendered incapable of offering such resistance as -might otherwise be in their power, or even of attempting to escape from -their pursuit. - -Like most reptiles they retire during the winter into holes, in which -they remain in a torpid state until the return of spring; and during this -period they may be taken or destroyed without danger. Their flesh is -eaten by the negroes, who also apply their fat, as well as their rattles, -to various medicinal or superstitious uses. - -The number at present in the Tower exceeds a hundred, varying from four -to six feet in length, and differing very considerably from each other -both in colour and markings. - -[Illustration] - - CHISWICK: - PRINTED BY CHARLES WHITTINGHAM, - COLLEGE HOUSE. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Tower Menagerie, by Edward Turner Bennett - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TOWER MENAGERIE *** - -***** This file should be named 53764-0.txt or 53764-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/7/6/53764/ - -Produced by deaurider and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |