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degenerate in America. This idea has arisen chiefly from the unphilosophical rage for generalization, which prevailed so extensively, some years since; and which still partially remains to the discomfiture of true science. So far from this having been the case in Chili', all European animals, as before observed, have increased in size rather than diminished: particularly horses, asses, sheep, and goats. Ewes, indeed, have lost their horns; but rams have acquired four; and not unfrequently six.

British horses were so much admired by the Romans, that they imported great numbers of them, for the purpose of recruiting their cavalry. Of late years the horse, the ox, and the sheep have been much improved, both in size and symmetry, by crossing the respective breeds. The art of improving stock was carried to a curious height by the ancient natives of Spain and Egypt; who, depending much upon the efficacy of association, placed the handsomest oxen before their cows, when in conception. In modern Greece, where cows are not milked, many farmers entertain the same ideal impressions. In Britain, however, to such an extent has the art of breeding been carried, that 400 guineas have not unfrequently been given for a bull; and 100 guineas for the use of a ram for only one season.

There are many animals of Asia and America, which it would be wise to introduce into the south of Europe. A French writer recommends to this adoption the fowls of Chatigaon; the Cashmirian sheep; the musk deer of Thibet; the bulls of Berar; many kinds of birds, and several species of fish. The Indian camel would, assuredly,

Molina, i. 267.

VOL. II.

flourish in Italy, Sicily, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. It is true, the camel of the deserts can only be of use in level countries; since " uphill or downhill is equally the camel's curse." But the camels of Dera, which have frequently a white colour, and blue eyes, have a more various capacity of movement, and ascend hills with little comparative difficulty.

Of all Asia, the country, most resembling Europe, is Afghaunistaun. There is nearly the same general climate; similar animals; and a similar vegetation; most of our best fruits; and not a few of our most common, as well as of our most beautiful, flowers. These are mixed with turtles, tortoises, and plantains, with other instances of Asiatic zoology and vegetation.

Among the rocky mountains of North America is an animal, called the Rocky Mountain Sheep,-an intermediate genus between the goat and the antelope. It has fine white wool; and ought to be introduced into Great Britain. The gazelle, too, might embellish several districts of Spain and Italy. Mild, intelligent, active, and familiar with man," the little four-eyed stag," (as the Ceylonese call it, from having two marks under the eyes, with eyelids arched with eye-lashes,) might feed on herbs and flowers, and milk and honey,-to all which it is particularly partial,-from the hands of Spanish and Italian beauty; and reward their attention with one look from its large and brilliant eyes.

XV.

An attempt has lately been made to people the desert mountains of Stavanger with domestic rein-deer. In the

winter of 1818, an inhabitant of that district purchased 200 in Sweden and Russia Lapland; some of which were of the white Siberian breed. The want of snow induced him to leave all his snow-shoes, furs, utensils, and tents, in Aamadt; and he killed more than twenty on the journey for food and beverage. They passed through Christiana on the 1st of January, and arrived at their place of destination in perfect safety.

Carp were brought into England by Leonard Maschel in 1514; gold-fish in 1691. Lobsters were introduced to the sea, near New York, by a boat from New England. This boat having split upon a rock, all the lobsters escaped; and casting their spawn, they became very plentiful. It is curious, however, to remark, that lobsters, some time afterwards, were unknown on that part of the coast. Some persons suppose, they were alarmed at the frequent sound of cannon on the shore, during the year 1781; and that they left the coast in consequence: but it is more probable they quitted it from a temporary deficiency of food.

Some animals are better protected, and increase more by being under the guardianship of man, than they would do, if left entirely to themselves. Hence the large flocks of bustards, that are seen in Chili, where they are frequently domesticated; and hence the decrease of the black cock in Wales and Scotland;-an animal which flies from cultivation, and prefers the birch forests of Lapland, Siberia, Finland, and some parts of Norway. They are decreasing every year. This rule, however, does not invariably apply; for though redbreasts and wrens in Europe, blue pigeons at Mecca, and storks in Germany,

Greece, and Africa, are piously protected, we do not find, that they increase to any considerable extent.

XVI.

Some animals are found in distant latitudes; and not in their intermediate spaces. Thus in Kodjak1, of the Northern Archipelago, are found beautifully speckled mice; the same animal is found 300 leagues distant; and in no part of the intermediate countries: and the mountain sheep (argali) of Kamschatka, in the same manner, is known in Europe only in Corsica and Sardinia. The dog of the arctic regions, visited by Captain Ross, neither growled nor barked; its anger being signified simply by the erection of its hair. The same peculiarities marked those of New South Wales, which were presented to Mrs. Lascelles and the Marchioness of Salisbury. They probably derived their respective origins from the same animal.

The barby-roussa, though found in a small island, near Amboyna, is not found on the continents of either Africa or Asia; a circumstance the more remarkable, since, when hunted, it takes to the sea; and swims from one island to another. Some animals are confined to particular latitudes. Thus the sea-wolf, with teeth so sharp and strong, that it leaves marks of its bite even upon anchors, seems to be confined to the arctic and the higher latitudes of the temperate zones. But the phocus is occasionally seen in the Mediterranean: and from this animal, probably, the ancients conceived their notions, relative to Syrens and Tritons.

Stæhlin's Russian Discoveries, p. 34.

2 Bouro.

XVII.

Some animals, and also some minerals', are attached to particular countries. In Lapland there are many birds, known nowhere else. There is a species of egret peculiar to Cashmeer, the feathers of which are collected with great care; and a plume of them generally surmounts the turban of Cashmerian ladies, on the right side of which is an ornament of jewels. The balearic crane is chiefly confined to Majorca, Ivica, and Minorca; and the red-legged crow 3 is found in no part of England or Wales but Cornwall, Flintshire, Carnarvonshire, and the Isle of Anglesea. In Siberia there are bull-finches entirely white; and though they have been occasionally seen in Germany, they are only wanderers. Their song is far superior to that of the common bull-finch.

In New Holland and New South Wales there are some vegetables and animals entirely peculiar. It is true, the water-mole is known there; and eels, herons, widgeons, plovers, and pigeons: quails, wild turkies, bustards, and pelicans. But they have all distinguishing characteristics. In the interior, there is a species of pigeon*, seen nowhere else. On its head it wears a black plume; the back part of its head is of a flesh colour; its wings are streaked with black; the breast is fawn-coloured; its eyes are red; and its downy feathers golden, edged with white. In that country, too, is the black swan, and the ornithorynchus paradoxus, the male of which has spurs like a cock;

'Tellurium has been hitherto found only in Transylvania, and in a Bismuth mine, at Huntingdon, Connecticut.