stepping noiselessly from the crowd, advanced to the bier, and gazed silently on the face of the dead. It was thin and worn, the traits of sorrow-of long suffering were legible on the still mild and most venerable features, and the figure was attenuated as that of an anchoret. At the foot of the coffin, shrouded in black, mute and motionless, and in an attitude of the profoundest despair, stood a being mis-shapen and dwarfish; and on the breast of the corse lay a withered rose, a lock of fair hair, and a chaplet of pearls. It was the corse of Van Schooréel, the painter, the poet, the orator, and the musician; wifeless and childless he had gone down into the grave, and the descendant of his first and last love bent unconsciously over his clay. Truly his was "FAITH UNTO DEATH!" *S* Déjazet, the prima donna of the small theatre at the Palais Royal, is as remarkable for her caustic wit as for the levity of her conduct. Some time ago a lady observed, in the presence of the "artiste," who does not enjoy the fairest reputation, Moi, je tiens à ma réputation." Her manner and tone of voice indicated sufficiently to whom the allusion was directed; but Déjazet replied with the rapidity and withering effect of lightning, "Vous vous attachez toujours à des petitesses." A young man of fashion had sent her two love letters in one day, and on the next a third. "Il parait que Monsieur veut à toute force, être un sot en trois lettres," she exclaimed with impatience. On another occasion an author read her a new comedy, in which the following passage occurred:-" Eh comment ne l'aimerais-je pas? Elle a de la beauté, de la grace, de l'esprit, de la vertu !" "Arretez vous là," said she, interrupting the reader," la vertu c'est toujours la dernière chose dont on parle." SONNET, FROM THE ITALIAN OF GIAMBATTISTA ZAPPI, LOVE on my charmer's presence aye attends, Love's in her eye, his music in her song.— Bedew her cheeks? still sovereign Love appears Glideth she in the mazes of the dance, Still Love supports her gently twinkling* feet So his own favourite flower Zephyr fans. In her sweet brow is Love's own chosen seat, Is seen-but in her heart has no retreat. From the original sonnet the idea of Jackson of Exeter's song, Eyes," is manifestly borrowed. "Love in thine G. G. Gray. Byron. A FEW GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON NATURAL HISTORY. THERE are few subjects, perhaps, capable of affording greater interest than a consideration of the general and indefinable link pervading and uniting the whole of the creation which appears to connect every division of Natural History-though the gradations are so fine and almost imperceptible, that it is in some instances a task of difficulty to describe the exact line of demarcation between the different species. It is not my intention to dwell long on the anatomy and structure of the various genera, the Worcestershire Natural History Society* being so rich in able medical men, that the theory of comparative anatomy in their hands would be scientifically discussed and judiciously investigated; I will, therefore, endeavour, by the present slight sketch, Simply to demonstrate the gradual approximation or the general chain between the species. In adventuring so much, I confess my object is to induce others of more commanding abilities to pursue the subject further-I will only dwell on it, therefore, cursorily, and illustrate my observations with a few anecdotes. Man, created "a little lower than the angels," endowed with reason, and dignified by the possession of "dominion" over the whole of the glorious creation, stands pre-eminent amidst the innumerable beings which now, in order and harmony, "replenish the earth." Even in his fallen condition, still he retains the boon of reason to direct his course according to the ordinances of his Creator. Alas! that such beneficence should, from the deterioration in the human race, be so frequently misapplied! Crime again produced its punishment, and the deluge submerged an offending world, with the exception of eight persons, who alone heeded the awful warnings of the Deity. In process of time mankind again became numerous, and the confusion of tongues taking place, they gradually dispersed into different regions and climates; a change which produced singular alterations in the manners, habits, complexions, and constitutions of the human race. Civilization extended by degrees, and revealed religion lent its all-powerful aid, wherever it was promulgated, to assist its progress. It, however, appears that some climates are less favourable to the developement of the human mind than others. This observation is strongly illustrated by the accounts given by Captains The Literary and Scientific Institution is equally favoured in possessing numerous highly-gifted members in the same profession. NO. III. Ꮓ Parry, Ross, Sabine, and other travellers in the Hyperborean nations, where the scale of intellect appears extremely limited. The skulls of different nations, it is here requisite to observe, vary considerably; thus the cranium of the Esquimaux, Hottentot, or Negro, assimilates more nearly with that of the ourang-outang than the skulls of the whites, or the red men of North America. The inhabitants of South America,* by means of pressure in infancy, distort the skull into a most fantastic form, something resembling a sugar-loaf, therefore there is no data on which to found an opinion respecting them. Some years since I accompanied one of the first physicians in London and his family, to see those portions of the late Dr. Hunter's museum, which he judged might be improving to us. Amongst much valuable instruction which he kindly communicated, he pointed out a collection of skulls of almost every nation, from the fully developed cranium of the European, through all the various gradations, down to the ourang-outang, which latter differs, though slightly in form, from that of mankind. The skull of the Simia resembled more closely that of the Hottentot than any other, and on the same shelf was the skull of an unfortunate ideot, which was more compressed even than that of the ape. The ourang-outang in structure nearly resembles the human race, the principal difference consisting in the number of ribs, the ourang-outang having thirteen on each side, and mankind only twelve;+ and from the formation of the larynx and throat they are not able to articulate, consequently they cannot acquire the power of speech. The Simia, then, is the first connecting link between man and animals. It is difficult to say where reason ends and instinct commences. The latter may be defined as "an impulse implanted by Providence, which compels every animal of the same species when unrestrained, and under the same circumstances, to perform the same operations."‡ That animals have like passions with ourselves-fear, grief, rage, affection for their offspring, and strong attachments, is selfevident. An anecdote related to me by an officer will confirm this fact. Major S. was shooting near a ghaut in Northern India, when he perceived a small, and to him unknown animal, lying coiled round amidst some leaves. Owing to the inequality of the descent between the trees, he did not ascertain its description before he fired. The creature appeared severely wounded. Suddenly a tall and nearly erect being darted from amidst the reeds and canes. Springing forward with threatening gestures, she abruptly paused, and burst into a most violent flood of tears, as a bereft mother might be supposed to weep Particularly near the banks of the Columbia. Vide Ross Cox's Travels. + Vide Naturalist's Magazine. I do not remember in what work I met with this definition, but it pleased me at the time. for the death of a beloved child. She then seized her dying offspring, and Major S., from her appearance, imagined she intended to wreak a summary vengeance on him. However, she pressed the little creature to her breast, and uttering the most dismal and piercing lamentations, she retraced her steps to the woods. For many months afterwards, so deep an impression did the scene make on his feelings, that the dreadful shrieks she sent forth, he averred, were continually ringing in his ears. If implicit credit may be given to Goldsmith* (I wish it were at all times practicable, as there can hardly be a more engaging writer), the Pongo described by Battel, assimilates so closely with humanity, that it is difficult to divide the link. "The ourangoutang," says Goldsmith, "builds sheds, defends itself with clubs, and walks erect;" but he beautifully adds, "it is in vain the ourangoutang resembles man in form, or imitates many of his actions; he still continues a miserable wretched creature, pent up in the most gloomy part of the forest." These animals have, however, been reclaimed, and taught to sit at table and go through the customary forms, performing various offices with propriety, but have not evinced the slightest reasoning faculty, although possessed of great imitative powers. The ancients have produced many amusing fables on the subject of these wild men of the woods, under the name of the Troglodytes;† perhaps laying a foundation for the singular traditions of Pagan philosophy, and of peopling the woods and groves with the sylvan deities. largest species of ourang-outang is found in Borneo, parts of India, and the interior of Africa. Pyrard makes mention that there is a species of ape called bans, which, if properly instructed, make useful domestics, and are applied to that purpose at Sierra Leone, where they pound the corn and draw the water. The The next link in progression to be considered are the intermediate steps between birds and quadrupeds. These are extremely clear, particularly as exhibited by the bat and flying squirrel. The former, gifted with wings, emulates the nocturnal birds, § feeding on insects, principally a small beetle, commonly called the storm-beetle, and gnats; his rapid and quivering flight enables him to seize these insects on the wing at nightfall, many of the more curious moths, and the delicately beautiful whitefeathered moth. I once had a long-eared bat in confinement, which became very tame, and would receive its food from the hand. The habits of this little creature were interesting: no sooner did twilight approach, than he gradually aroused from his slumbers, and then slowly unfolding each wing, which he * Dr. Johnson observed that "Goldsmith scarcely knew a pig from a cow:" he compiled, however, a very interesting work! + Vide Goldsmith's Animated Nature. Vide Goldsmith's Animated Nature. Pliny, Aldrovandus, and Gesner, placed bats in the rank with birds."-See Goldsmith. They were removed into the order of primates by Linnæus. submitted to the ordeal of his tongue, and his silky coat being carefully arranged, he was ready for flight, and I generally indulged him with his liberty in the room for a short time, where he exhibited great activity in catching the common house flies. Linnæus, in placing the bat in the order of primates, appears to have considered the species as entitled to rank in the same order with mankind, from a degree of resemblance in the structure of the skeleton; but whether this animal forms a connecting link between the human race and birds, I am scarcely prepared to say: however, such appeared to be the opinion of Linnæus. The bat is endowed with extraordinary powers of hearing, the slightest sound does not escape his ear at night, and he is equally attentive to the shrill pipe of the gnat, or the drowsy hum of the dor beetle. Many have been the fables inspired by the supposition that the large Madagascar bat, commonly called the vampyre, extracted the blood from the veins of persons asleep. They have been considered by many admirable naturalists as a most pernicious and mischievous animal: however, the following account by a gentleman, from a very excellent Magazine I have lately perused,* is contradictory to the idea. He states that having kept a vampyre four years in confinement, he could assert he never saw it attempt to bite, and he was perfectly convinced the species did not possess that propensity.+ I will now proceed to observe on another, though further removed äërial quadruped, which, although not provided with wings, yet by means of a membrane extended between its front and hinder legs, it bounds, or flies, if I may so express myself, from tree to tree, and thus makes its progress to great distances. This most elegant little animal, the Diadelphia Sciura-"D. hypochondiris prolixis valitans, supra cana, cauda villosissima prehensili apium versus nigra," of Shaw, is now classed with the large flying squirrel of New Holland, commonly called the Diadelphus Petaurus, or large flying Opossum, which Shaw has separated from the flying squirrel. Baron Cuvier has adopted the name of Ptezomys, which I believe has been retained by the Zoological Society, where one of a most beautiful description was in great estimation a few years ago. Mr. Vigors well observes that the descent of the flying squirrel more nearly resembles that of a parachute than the flight of a bird.‡ I must not omit to mention an extraordinary animal discovered in New Holland, and now in the British Museum, of a threefold nature, which appears to unite birds, animals, and fish. I here allude to the duck-billed Platypus (Ornithorynchus.) This singular little creature has four short legs with webbed feet, a duck's bill instead of a mouth, of a yellowish colour, and in * Chambers's Edinburgh Magazine. This very clever work will amply repay the time occupied in its perusal. |