Linnams thus
describes
this family, under the genus Cancer.
Childrens - The Creation
org/access_use#pd-google
? LETTER IX.
181
<<ays, that the longevity of the pike is almost incredible; he mentions,
as an instance, one that was taken in Hailborn, in Swabia, in the year
1497, with these words engraven on a ring,--" I am the fish that was
first of all put into this lake, by Frederick EL, Oct . 5th, 1230. " This
gave it the age two hundred and sixty-seven years. The pike, or
jack, was first introduced in England in 1537.
THE FIFTH ORDER-BRANCHIOSTEGII.
GILLS DESTITUTE OF BONY RAYS. --TEN GENERA. --EIGHTY-FOUR SPECIES.
Comprising the Sun-fish, Pipe-fish, Sucker, and several Egyptian, Indian, and
Chinese Fish.
Sun-fish. The body of this singular fish is broad and short, and
appears like the head of a huge fish separated from the body. It has
a circular fin at its extremity; and this supplies the place of a tail.
It is destitute of scales, but covered with a tough thick skin. It
sometimes weighs two hundred pounds. It frequents the Mediter-
ranean Sea; and has been seen off our own island--but this rarely.
When boiled, the skin furnishes a thick glue. In the beginning of
last century, Dr. Mavor says, one was caught at Plymouth that
weighed five hundred pounds.
Pipe-fish. This animal is in shape like a pipe, from whence it
derives its name. It is sometimes two feet in length; but seldom
thicker than a swan's quill.
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THE CREATION.
Hippocampus. This is a curious little animal, with a bust like that
of a horse, and the tail of a fish. It is about three inches long.
Some varieties have what appears like a little mane. They are very
pretty to look upon, and are found in the Mediterranean and West
Indies.
THE SIXTH ORDER--CHONDROPTERYGII.
GILLS WITH CARTILAGINOUS RAYS. -- SEVEN GENERA. --SEVENTY SPECIES.
Comprising the Shark, Sturgeon, Lamprey, fye.
The Shark. This is the most ferocious of all the fish of the deep;
and its very name in Port Royal, Jamaica, is a dread to the sailors.
It is not that it is a very large fish; but it has an enormous mouth,
and several rows of saw-like teeth. I remember, when very young at
sea, mounting aloft, light-hearted and thoughtless, when, on looking
over the bow, I saw one of these monsters, with his fin just above
water; I involuntarily clung to the rigging; and, having accomplished
what I was sent about came down, holding very fast, as if I feared
I must fall. The shark varies in size from six to eight and ten feet.
It has two dorsal fins, and the form of its body decreases towards the
tail. Its skin is exceedingly rough, and is used by turners and others
for various purposes. The shark is found in all warm latitudes; and
I have known them follow a ship for days. Its flesh is very loath-
some. It is easily taken with bait; and even when captive on board,
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it uses its tail with tremendous power. It is generally attended by
the little Zebra Pilot Fish. One great providence connected with the
shark is the position of its mouth, which is situate under the head, so
that, to seize its prey it is obliged to turn on its side. Some natur-
alists have spoken of the shark as very swift; but at sea we always
give the palm to the dolphin. The negroes in the West Indies will
attack the shark. Their moment of attack is just as the monster is
turning on its side to bite; they then dive under him, and pierce his
abdomen with a long knife. You remember the account of our faith-
ful old black servant; of whom I have so often told you, who, in the
warmth of his affection would say, "Ah, massa, suppose you fall
overboard, and shark come, I see him, I soon jump overboard too,
and with a great knife kill him. "
The Sturgeon. The body of this enormous fish is long, somewhat
pentagonal, and covered with two rows of bony tubercles, like limpet-
shells. The sturgeon ascends the large rivers, both in the north and
south of Europe, to spawn; and from thence comes down and visits
all the countries around. It sometimes reaches the length of eighteen
feet, and weighs 500 pounds. The flesh was at one time much es-
teemed. The roe, when salted, is known by the name of caviar, and
its preparation is a lucrative branch of trade.
The nutritious aliment, so much recommended to the invalid, that
goes by the name of isinglass, is prepared from the swimming bladder
of this fish. Sometimes, however, the skin, entrails, fins, and tail, are
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THE CREATION.
all cut up into small pieces; and after being macerated together, are
made into an inferior jelly, which is spread out in large sheets like
parchment; and when dry, is ready for use. This is a most gracious
gift of God to man.
The Sea-Fox. The home of this voracious fish is the Mediterranean;
but it wanders far and wide for his prey. In length it is about eight
feet.
The Lamprey. This curious species is in shape much like the eel.
It has on each side seven apertures for respiration. It is found
chiefly in the Severn. It adheres by suction to any body to which it
is applied.
Having thus briefly endeavoured to bring before you the six great
orders of fish; before I proceed to speak of the Crustaceous and
Testaceous families, there are two orders of marine animals that belong
to this day's creation, that are of exceeding interest. The seal and
walrus tribes. Linnaeus arranges them under the head of Mammalia,
or animals that have breasts and suckle their young.
THE SEAL. >>
" The animals of this family," says an excellent article in the En-
cyclopaedia Britannica, "have a head something like a man, the body of
a quadruped, and the tail of a fish;" and thus, doubtless, the many
and wondrous tales about Mermaids may all be accounted for.
? Mammalia--Order III. Fera. --Linnseus.
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There are nineteen varieties of the seal inhabiting almost every
quarter of the globe; from the Straits of Behring to Chili and Aus-
tralia, and from Greenland to the Mediterranean; some very large,
reaching twenty feet in length, and others, again, not much bigger
than a good-sized lap-dog. The paws of the seal are very short, and
its toes are webbed. The hinder paws, if you may call them such,
are also short; and when they swim are used as the tail of a fish.
They make a noise something like a calf.
The seal is amphibious, that is, as the word means, it lives in both
elements, sea and land. If we want to know the value of the seal,
we will go to the poor Greenlander, and say to him, What are the
uses of the seal to you ? And he will point to his clothes, his light,
and his food; and say, Its skin covers me, its oil lights me, and its
flesh nourishes me.
Naturalists have given names to the nineteen varieties, with great
force of description, sometimes in allusion to their place of resort,
sometimes as to their peculiar properties, and sometimes in reference
to their relative size; thus we have the Greenland, Chilian, and Aus-
tralian seals; the Lion, Elephant, and Tortoise seal; the great and
little seal; and the Monk-hooded and Maned seal:--all these have
distinctive characters, but the great features are the same. In the
south of Britain we know little of these animals; but in the north they
abound, especially in the caves of the sea near Caithness. The seal
is capable of being tamed; and if treated kindly, manifests a good
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THE CREATION.
deal of affection. When met with on the land, some distance from
the water, so that their retreat to their home can be intercepted, they
are easily taken. They then are said to exhibit great terror, and will
weep floods of tears. They delight, like many other animals, in music.
In storms and tempests they in general come to the shore; where,
seated on rocks, they seem to delight in the fury of the elements.
THE WALRUS. *
1. Walrus, or Sea Horse of the Arctic Seas. --2. The Dugong, or Indian Walrus. --
3. Manatus of South America.
Walrus. All Arctic travellers know this singular marine animal,
and you now rarely see a picture of ships in the northern ice,
without the walrus with his long tusks, occupying a prominent
feature in the scene; not that its acquaintance is only of recent occur-
rence, for the Norwegian noble, Othar, writing to king Alfred, so
early as 896, mentions it as the Horse Whale, whose tusks were so
valuable to possess; and if valuable then, more so now, for, on account
of the closeness of the grain of the ivory, they are in great request by
the dentist for artificial teeth: the oil also of the walrus is no mean
prize, some yielding more than half a ton.
The form of this animal is just adapted for the element it princi-
pally lives in; it is, however, heavy in appearance, and very large,
sometimes reaching eighteen feet in length. The head is small, the
? Mammalia. --Order II. Bruta. --Linnaeus.
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? LETTER IX. 187
forehead broad; the tusks extend as low as the chest; the neck is thick,
and the fore and hind paws short like the seal's; indeed, some
naturalists have classed the seal and walrus as one family. Their
habits, however, are dissimilar in some respects. The walrus lives
principally on sea-weed. Their affection and attachment to each
other is very striking; on one being struck, (if he escapes,) he dives
down to some others of the same family, who will promptly resent the
injury done to their friend by attacking the boat that hurt him; and
in some cases their vengeance is not to be despised, as they will stave
a boat, or bite a piece out of it.
The Dugong. As the Walrus is the Sea Horse of the Arctic Ocean,
so the Dugong is of the Eastern. It is found at the Cape of Good
Hope, and the Philippine Islands.
The Manatus. This is the South American Sea Horse, and is
generally larger than either of the other animals of this family, some-
times reaching thirty feet in length. The natives prize the Manatus
greatly, and use all manner of stratagems to take it. There is also a
species of Manatus, called M. borealis;--it has no hair; it is found in
Behring's Straits; its length is about thirty feet; it has a very long
horizontal tail.
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.
This amphibious animal, as its Greek name implies, is called the
River Horse; and is quite of a distinct family from the walrus,
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? 188
THE CREATION.
the size of the hippopotamus, when fully grown, is seventeen feet long,
seven feet high, and fifteen feet in circumference; with a skin that the
dart and barbed arrow can scarcely enter. Some have supposed this
animal to be the Behemoth of Job. Its home is in the borders of the
great African lakes, from the Niger to the Cape of Good Hope; it is
also found in Upper Egypt and Ethiopia. Except when compelled
by hunger, it seldom leaves its watery rest; but when hungry, nothing
can stand before it, and the rice-fields of the farmer, and the wild
fruit of the plains, are alike destroyed. If attacked in the water, it will
sometimes sink, and rising up under the boat, lift it out of the water ;
and at other times has smashed it to a wreck with its powerful jaws;
but though the glittering spear cannot touch it, a musket ball will
perforate the skin.
THE MARINE TURTLE.
This valuable animal, although generally classed with the Tortoise
tribes, yet is evidently amphibious, and was doubtless of the fifth day's
creation. Of the Tortoise tribes there are thirty-eight species; sixteen
live on the land, eighteen in fresh water, and four in the sea.
Having thus considered this most interesting class of amphibious
animals, we will now come down to the lesser creatures of the fifth
day; and first, of
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THE CRUSTACEOUS ANIMALS/
Comprising principally the Lobster, Craw Fish, Crab, Prawn, Shrimp, Sfc.
All this varied family come for man's nourishment; and some
millions are brought to the London markets. It is said, that Mon-
trose alone sends 80,000 lobsters annually.
Linnams thus describes this family, under the genus Cancer.
Legs, six or eight, besides chelate claws; Feelers, six, unequal; Eyes,
two, moveable; Mandibles, horny; Lip, triple; Tail, articulated.
There are three particulars of the crustaceous family, full of
interest. 1. Their power of reproducing new limbs, if lost by
accident or battle; 2. The annual change of their skin, or coat of
mail. This also they shed when under great agitation, as from
thunder, or when they are pursued. 3. The exceeding length of
their spring; and the precision of their aim: for when pursued, they
will dart from the water far more rapidly than the bird flies, and
throw themselves through a fissure in the rock or cliff, very little
larger than themselves; they go tail foremost. Athwnus remarks
the same thing, and says, that their spring is like that of the
Dolphin.
All this family are found in every part of England, and grow to
? Class Insecta. --Order Aptera. --Linnaeus.
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? 190
THE CREATION.
various sizes. Their colour is generally dark, but they become red
in boiling.
The last four] orders of marine animals now call for our attention;
and if we gazed with wonder at the whale, near a hundred feet in
length, no less is our astonishment raised, when, with the Microscope,*
we pry into those hidden worlds of existence, which the Infusoria,
and marine Animalculae, open out to us. The language of the 104th
Psalm, is very beautiful on this point:--"O Lord, how manifold are
thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full
of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things
creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. "
THE LESSER INHABITANTS OF THE GREAT SEAf
1. The Mollusca--2. The Testacea--3. The Zoophyta--4. Infusoria.
1. The Mollusca (thirty-two genera, and almost untold species),
comprising,--the Sea Anemone, the Sea Daisy, Sea Marigold, Sea
Carnation; also, the Star Fish, Scuttle Fish, Sea Nettle, Sea Urchin,
and others. These have no coat of mail, like the Crustacea, and no
walled city, like the Testacea; but still they have their protection;
for the Medusa family, that passes down with the tide, may not be
* It was but a little while since the Telescope led us into those FAR wonders of
the heavens above; and now the Microscope opens to us those near wonders in
the depths beneath.
t Vermes. --Orders II. III. IV. V. --Linnaeus.
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191
handled with impunity; and the Scuttle Fish emits a dark fluid,
which perplexes the enemy that is pursuing it. This family seem
happy in their own existence; and in some species, as the Aurita
Medusa, are beautiful to look at
.
2. The Testacea (thirty-seven genera, and many species) differ
from the Crustacea, being in their nature soft, but in happy captivity
in their calcareous dwellings.
Their shells are composed principally of phosphate of lime, with
a little animal matter. They are divided into three orders:--
1. Bivalves; 2. Univalves; 3. Multivalves.
1. Bivalves. These have, as the name implies, two doors, and
compose the Oyster family, the Cockle, Scallop, Mussel, Pinna,* and
many others. All these, except the latter, are well known to us.
The species of oyster peculiar to the European seas, is the eatable
kind. The shell worn by the pilgrims to the Holy Land was of the
Maxima species. One species of oyster produces the true ' mother
of pearl. '
2. The Univalves, as the name implies, have but one door; and of
this family there is an almost endless and beautiful variety, from the
little perriwinkle, sold through our streets, to the magnificent
Tritonis of the South and Indian Seas, and the Mediterranean,
which is used as a musical instrument, and military ornament. The
? The Pinna is the marine silk worm; for from the beard or byssus of it, the
Italians weave a kind of silk. It is also good for food.
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? 192
THE CREATION.
Nautilus is also of this family. * You remember the shell (beauti-
fully incurvated) in the Museum, where also may be seen, fossil
specimens of the nautilus in great variety.
3. The Multivahes. This species has many doors, and comprise
the Barnacles, and some others.
The study of this varied and beautiful family is called Conchology,
which is derived from two Greek words, meaning the knowledge of shells.
The Zoophyte. This word means, animals which seem to vegetate
like plants. It embraces the Sponge, the Coral, and the Polypus.
The Sponge. This is now believed by all naturalists to be an
animal existence. It is composed of net-work fibres and tubes, finely
woven together. It is found adhering to rocks in the Mediterranean
and Indian Ocean. It is very valuable in many ways; and when
burnt is used as medicine.
The Coral. Linnaeus divides this family into several genera, and
then again into many hundreds of species. It comprises, principally,
the Tubepores (that is, Coral with tube-like pores), Madrepores (with
star-shaped pores), Millepores (similar to the former, but branched
off into many parts), Cellepores (also similar, with little hollow cells),
the name of each defining its character.
Montgomery, in his beautiful poem of the " Pelican Island," has a
great deal of interesting matter as to this branch of the Zoophyte
family.
? See Appendix.
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The Polypus or Hydra inhabits fresh water, and has the singular
power of reproducing its parts, when cut, each part becoming a
perfect whole. The Serlutaire is an extraordinary member of this
family, and emits, if the plant it is fixed on is struck, a bright light.
The Infusoria. This order embraces fourteen genera; some so
minute that they are not visible to the naked eye. Some of these
have shells; some are covered with hair; some are peculiar to the
sea; some to ponds. A good microscope will show, in a drop of
stagnant water, many of these invisible inhabitants of the deep. Our
Poet of the Seasons thus most beautifully speaks of this family:--
" Where the pool
Stands mantled o'er with green--invisible,
Amid the floating verdure millions stray,
Each liquid too, whether it pierces, soothes,
Inflames, refreshes, or exalts the taste,
With various forms abounds ;--nor is the
Stream of purest crystal, nor the lucid air,
Though one transparent vacancy it seems,
Void of their unseen people. "
Thomson.
And now, my dear children, let us proceed to the second great
division of the Fifth day, and consider--
K
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? 194
THE CREATION.
THE BIRDS THAT FLY IN THE OPEN FIRMAMENT.
TABLE OF THE ORDER OF BIRDS.
SO. LATIN NAMF8.
Accipitres
Pica;
Anseres . . .
The Hawk kind. Birds of Prey
Grallse
Gallinae . . .
Struthiores . .
Passeres. .
ColumbaB
ENGLISH NAMES.
Woodpecker . .
Goose
PROPERTIES.
Stilts . .
Fowl . .
Ostrich
Sparrow
Dove . . .
Feet adapted for climbing
Web feet
(Birds with very long|
\ necks and legs j
Domestic and wild game
With very small wings. . .
(All the birds of songi
\ belong to this order. )
Birds of Peace
4
16
13
29
13
3
Many
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Few
Greatvariety
Few
Having considered rather at large, the two great orders of life that
animate the deep, another class of beings now calls for our contem-
plation. --The Fovl of Heaven. " Formed chiefly," says Dr. Mavor,
" to move or float in the element of air, all their parts are wonder-
fully adapted to their destination--light and sharp before, they
cleave the expanse of ether with the greatest facility; and swelling
gradually in the middle, they again terminate in expansive tails,
which preserve the buoyancy, and give direction to the body, while
, the fore part is cutting the air: hence they have been compared to
a vessel in the ocean. The trunk of the animal's body answering to
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? LETTER IX.
195
the hold or lower part of the vessel; the head to the prow; the tail
to the rudder; and the wings to the oars. "
" The external apparatus of birds is not less an object of just
admiration than their shape and figure. The position of their
feathers tending backwards, and regularly laying over each other,
produces warmth, velocity of motion, and security. Next to their
bodies is a beautiful soft down, to protect them from the cold; and
further, to secure them from the injury of violent attrition (which
their swift flight might induce) or wet, birds are furnished with
glands, near their tail, which distil a kind of very fine oil, which
they press out with their bills, and spread over their ruffled plumage. "
This fluid varies in quantities, as the several branches of this great
family need it. The Aquatic birds abound with it; and thus, though
living in the sea, the water runs off their backs as quicksilver docs
from a table, and does not penetrate beneath, where all is warmth
and comfort.
As in the fish, so in the birds, purpose and design are manifest
through the whole of this diversified family. In some this is shown
in the form of the beak; in others, in the length of the neck; in
others, again, in the length of the legs.
Birds are faithful to their mates. Early in the spring, most of
them pair; and often both labour to build their little mansion, the
architecture of which is most beautiful, and man in vain attempts to
imitate it. Sometimes you see these beautiful little builders with a
K2
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THE CREATION.
straw, sometimes with feathers, anything they can weave into their
work; when the house is finished, then the eggs are deposited; for
all birds are oviparous; that is, they bring forth their young encased
in a shell. At the appointed season, the shell is broken, and the
little helpless strangers appear. At first they seem very dispropor-
tioned, being almost all mouth : but this is wisely ordered ; for so the
fond mother and father easily feed them; for both alike foster and
nurse their little family with the tenderest care. But a rapid increase
soon takes place; feathers grow apace; and in a few weeks the family
circle is broken up, and the young birds, fully fledged, provide for
themselves, and, as if the sweetest compact of life was gone, the
woods are no longer vocal with song,--the Nightingale ceases to
sing to its mate, and all is hushed again until the spring. It is this
that makes the solitary song of the sweet little robin-red-breast so
valued. Like a true friend, that keeps to us in summer and winter
alike, he often pours forth his sweetest strains, while all is stormy
and cheerless around.
The migration of birds is a subject full of interest. In a former
part of my letter, I noticed that the herrings also travel from the
polar to the tropical ocean; and now we are called to follow the bird
in its flight. Various are the opinions of naturalists on this subject;
but the most likely is, that the birds whose food fails in our winter,
migrate in the autumn, as the cold increases, to climes more congenial
to them; and so other birds, leaving a still colder country than our
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? LETTER IX.
181
<<ays, that the longevity of the pike is almost incredible; he mentions,
as an instance, one that was taken in Hailborn, in Swabia, in the year
1497, with these words engraven on a ring,--" I am the fish that was
first of all put into this lake, by Frederick EL, Oct . 5th, 1230. " This
gave it the age two hundred and sixty-seven years. The pike, or
jack, was first introduced in England in 1537.
THE FIFTH ORDER-BRANCHIOSTEGII.
GILLS DESTITUTE OF BONY RAYS. --TEN GENERA. --EIGHTY-FOUR SPECIES.
Comprising the Sun-fish, Pipe-fish, Sucker, and several Egyptian, Indian, and
Chinese Fish.
Sun-fish. The body of this singular fish is broad and short, and
appears like the head of a huge fish separated from the body. It has
a circular fin at its extremity; and this supplies the place of a tail.
It is destitute of scales, but covered with a tough thick skin. It
sometimes weighs two hundred pounds. It frequents the Mediter-
ranean Sea; and has been seen off our own island--but this rarely.
When boiled, the skin furnishes a thick glue. In the beginning of
last century, Dr. Mavor says, one was caught at Plymouth that
weighed five hundred pounds.
Pipe-fish. This animal is in shape like a pipe, from whence it
derives its name. It is sometimes two feet in length; but seldom
thicker than a swan's quill.
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THE CREATION.
Hippocampus. This is a curious little animal, with a bust like that
of a horse, and the tail of a fish. It is about three inches long.
Some varieties have what appears like a little mane. They are very
pretty to look upon, and are found in the Mediterranean and West
Indies.
THE SIXTH ORDER--CHONDROPTERYGII.
GILLS WITH CARTILAGINOUS RAYS. -- SEVEN GENERA. --SEVENTY SPECIES.
Comprising the Shark, Sturgeon, Lamprey, fye.
The Shark. This is the most ferocious of all the fish of the deep;
and its very name in Port Royal, Jamaica, is a dread to the sailors.
It is not that it is a very large fish; but it has an enormous mouth,
and several rows of saw-like teeth. I remember, when very young at
sea, mounting aloft, light-hearted and thoughtless, when, on looking
over the bow, I saw one of these monsters, with his fin just above
water; I involuntarily clung to the rigging; and, having accomplished
what I was sent about came down, holding very fast, as if I feared
I must fall. The shark varies in size from six to eight and ten feet.
It has two dorsal fins, and the form of its body decreases towards the
tail. Its skin is exceedingly rough, and is used by turners and others
for various purposes. The shark is found in all warm latitudes; and
I have known them follow a ship for days. Its flesh is very loath-
some. It is easily taken with bait; and even when captive on board,
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it uses its tail with tremendous power. It is generally attended by
the little Zebra Pilot Fish. One great providence connected with the
shark is the position of its mouth, which is situate under the head, so
that, to seize its prey it is obliged to turn on its side. Some natur-
alists have spoken of the shark as very swift; but at sea we always
give the palm to the dolphin. The negroes in the West Indies will
attack the shark. Their moment of attack is just as the monster is
turning on its side to bite; they then dive under him, and pierce his
abdomen with a long knife. You remember the account of our faith-
ful old black servant; of whom I have so often told you, who, in the
warmth of his affection would say, "Ah, massa, suppose you fall
overboard, and shark come, I see him, I soon jump overboard too,
and with a great knife kill him. "
The Sturgeon. The body of this enormous fish is long, somewhat
pentagonal, and covered with two rows of bony tubercles, like limpet-
shells. The sturgeon ascends the large rivers, both in the north and
south of Europe, to spawn; and from thence comes down and visits
all the countries around. It sometimes reaches the length of eighteen
feet, and weighs 500 pounds. The flesh was at one time much es-
teemed. The roe, when salted, is known by the name of caviar, and
its preparation is a lucrative branch of trade.
The nutritious aliment, so much recommended to the invalid, that
goes by the name of isinglass, is prepared from the swimming bladder
of this fish. Sometimes, however, the skin, entrails, fins, and tail, are
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THE CREATION.
all cut up into small pieces; and after being macerated together, are
made into an inferior jelly, which is spread out in large sheets like
parchment; and when dry, is ready for use. This is a most gracious
gift of God to man.
The Sea-Fox. The home of this voracious fish is the Mediterranean;
but it wanders far and wide for his prey. In length it is about eight
feet.
The Lamprey. This curious species is in shape much like the eel.
It has on each side seven apertures for respiration. It is found
chiefly in the Severn. It adheres by suction to any body to which it
is applied.
Having thus briefly endeavoured to bring before you the six great
orders of fish; before I proceed to speak of the Crustaceous and
Testaceous families, there are two orders of marine animals that belong
to this day's creation, that are of exceeding interest. The seal and
walrus tribes. Linnaeus arranges them under the head of Mammalia,
or animals that have breasts and suckle their young.
THE SEAL. >>
" The animals of this family," says an excellent article in the En-
cyclopaedia Britannica, "have a head something like a man, the body of
a quadruped, and the tail of a fish;" and thus, doubtless, the many
and wondrous tales about Mermaids may all be accounted for.
? Mammalia--Order III. Fera. --Linnseus.
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185
There are nineteen varieties of the seal inhabiting almost every
quarter of the globe; from the Straits of Behring to Chili and Aus-
tralia, and from Greenland to the Mediterranean; some very large,
reaching twenty feet in length, and others, again, not much bigger
than a good-sized lap-dog. The paws of the seal are very short, and
its toes are webbed. The hinder paws, if you may call them such,
are also short; and when they swim are used as the tail of a fish.
They make a noise something like a calf.
The seal is amphibious, that is, as the word means, it lives in both
elements, sea and land. If we want to know the value of the seal,
we will go to the poor Greenlander, and say to him, What are the
uses of the seal to you ? And he will point to his clothes, his light,
and his food; and say, Its skin covers me, its oil lights me, and its
flesh nourishes me.
Naturalists have given names to the nineteen varieties, with great
force of description, sometimes in allusion to their place of resort,
sometimes as to their peculiar properties, and sometimes in reference
to their relative size; thus we have the Greenland, Chilian, and Aus-
tralian seals; the Lion, Elephant, and Tortoise seal; the great and
little seal; and the Monk-hooded and Maned seal:--all these have
distinctive characters, but the great features are the same. In the
south of Britain we know little of these animals; but in the north they
abound, especially in the caves of the sea near Caithness. The seal
is capable of being tamed; and if treated kindly, manifests a good
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THE CREATION.
deal of affection. When met with on the land, some distance from
the water, so that their retreat to their home can be intercepted, they
are easily taken. They then are said to exhibit great terror, and will
weep floods of tears. They delight, like many other animals, in music.
In storms and tempests they in general come to the shore; where,
seated on rocks, they seem to delight in the fury of the elements.
THE WALRUS. *
1. Walrus, or Sea Horse of the Arctic Seas. --2. The Dugong, or Indian Walrus. --
3. Manatus of South America.
Walrus. All Arctic travellers know this singular marine animal,
and you now rarely see a picture of ships in the northern ice,
without the walrus with his long tusks, occupying a prominent
feature in the scene; not that its acquaintance is only of recent occur-
rence, for the Norwegian noble, Othar, writing to king Alfred, so
early as 896, mentions it as the Horse Whale, whose tusks were so
valuable to possess; and if valuable then, more so now, for, on account
of the closeness of the grain of the ivory, they are in great request by
the dentist for artificial teeth: the oil also of the walrus is no mean
prize, some yielding more than half a ton.
The form of this animal is just adapted for the element it princi-
pally lives in; it is, however, heavy in appearance, and very large,
sometimes reaching eighteen feet in length. The head is small, the
? Mammalia. --Order II. Bruta. --Linnaeus.
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? LETTER IX. 187
forehead broad; the tusks extend as low as the chest; the neck is thick,
and the fore and hind paws short like the seal's; indeed, some
naturalists have classed the seal and walrus as one family. Their
habits, however, are dissimilar in some respects. The walrus lives
principally on sea-weed. Their affection and attachment to each
other is very striking; on one being struck, (if he escapes,) he dives
down to some others of the same family, who will promptly resent the
injury done to their friend by attacking the boat that hurt him; and
in some cases their vengeance is not to be despised, as they will stave
a boat, or bite a piece out of it.
The Dugong. As the Walrus is the Sea Horse of the Arctic Ocean,
so the Dugong is of the Eastern. It is found at the Cape of Good
Hope, and the Philippine Islands.
The Manatus. This is the South American Sea Horse, and is
generally larger than either of the other animals of this family, some-
times reaching thirty feet in length. The natives prize the Manatus
greatly, and use all manner of stratagems to take it. There is also a
species of Manatus, called M. borealis;--it has no hair; it is found in
Behring's Straits; its length is about thirty feet; it has a very long
horizontal tail.
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.
This amphibious animal, as its Greek name implies, is called the
River Horse; and is quite of a distinct family from the walrus,
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? 188
THE CREATION.
the size of the hippopotamus, when fully grown, is seventeen feet long,
seven feet high, and fifteen feet in circumference; with a skin that the
dart and barbed arrow can scarcely enter. Some have supposed this
animal to be the Behemoth of Job. Its home is in the borders of the
great African lakes, from the Niger to the Cape of Good Hope; it is
also found in Upper Egypt and Ethiopia. Except when compelled
by hunger, it seldom leaves its watery rest; but when hungry, nothing
can stand before it, and the rice-fields of the farmer, and the wild
fruit of the plains, are alike destroyed. If attacked in the water, it will
sometimes sink, and rising up under the boat, lift it out of the water ;
and at other times has smashed it to a wreck with its powerful jaws;
but though the glittering spear cannot touch it, a musket ball will
perforate the skin.
THE MARINE TURTLE.
This valuable animal, although generally classed with the Tortoise
tribes, yet is evidently amphibious, and was doubtless of the fifth day's
creation. Of the Tortoise tribes there are thirty-eight species; sixteen
live on the land, eighteen in fresh water, and four in the sea.
Having thus considered this most interesting class of amphibious
animals, we will now come down to the lesser creatures of the fifth
day; and first, of
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THE CRUSTACEOUS ANIMALS/
Comprising principally the Lobster, Craw Fish, Crab, Prawn, Shrimp, Sfc.
All this varied family come for man's nourishment; and some
millions are brought to the London markets. It is said, that Mon-
trose alone sends 80,000 lobsters annually.
Linnams thus describes this family, under the genus Cancer.
Legs, six or eight, besides chelate claws; Feelers, six, unequal; Eyes,
two, moveable; Mandibles, horny; Lip, triple; Tail, articulated.
There are three particulars of the crustaceous family, full of
interest. 1. Their power of reproducing new limbs, if lost by
accident or battle; 2. The annual change of their skin, or coat of
mail. This also they shed when under great agitation, as from
thunder, or when they are pursued. 3. The exceeding length of
their spring; and the precision of their aim: for when pursued, they
will dart from the water far more rapidly than the bird flies, and
throw themselves through a fissure in the rock or cliff, very little
larger than themselves; they go tail foremost. Athwnus remarks
the same thing, and says, that their spring is like that of the
Dolphin.
All this family are found in every part of England, and grow to
? Class Insecta. --Order Aptera. --Linnaeus.
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? 190
THE CREATION.
various sizes. Their colour is generally dark, but they become red
in boiling.
The last four] orders of marine animals now call for our attention;
and if we gazed with wonder at the whale, near a hundred feet in
length, no less is our astonishment raised, when, with the Microscope,*
we pry into those hidden worlds of existence, which the Infusoria,
and marine Animalculae, open out to us. The language of the 104th
Psalm, is very beautiful on this point:--"O Lord, how manifold are
thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full
of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things
creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. "
THE LESSER INHABITANTS OF THE GREAT SEAf
1. The Mollusca--2. The Testacea--3. The Zoophyta--4. Infusoria.
1. The Mollusca (thirty-two genera, and almost untold species),
comprising,--the Sea Anemone, the Sea Daisy, Sea Marigold, Sea
Carnation; also, the Star Fish, Scuttle Fish, Sea Nettle, Sea Urchin,
and others. These have no coat of mail, like the Crustacea, and no
walled city, like the Testacea; but still they have their protection;
for the Medusa family, that passes down with the tide, may not be
* It was but a little while since the Telescope led us into those FAR wonders of
the heavens above; and now the Microscope opens to us those near wonders in
the depths beneath.
t Vermes. --Orders II. III. IV. V. --Linnaeus.
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191
handled with impunity; and the Scuttle Fish emits a dark fluid,
which perplexes the enemy that is pursuing it. This family seem
happy in their own existence; and in some species, as the Aurita
Medusa, are beautiful to look at
.
2. The Testacea (thirty-seven genera, and many species) differ
from the Crustacea, being in their nature soft, but in happy captivity
in their calcareous dwellings.
Their shells are composed principally of phosphate of lime, with
a little animal matter. They are divided into three orders:--
1. Bivalves; 2. Univalves; 3. Multivalves.
1. Bivalves. These have, as the name implies, two doors, and
compose the Oyster family, the Cockle, Scallop, Mussel, Pinna,* and
many others. All these, except the latter, are well known to us.
The species of oyster peculiar to the European seas, is the eatable
kind. The shell worn by the pilgrims to the Holy Land was of the
Maxima species. One species of oyster produces the true ' mother
of pearl. '
2. The Univalves, as the name implies, have but one door; and of
this family there is an almost endless and beautiful variety, from the
little perriwinkle, sold through our streets, to the magnificent
Tritonis of the South and Indian Seas, and the Mediterranean,
which is used as a musical instrument, and military ornament. The
? The Pinna is the marine silk worm; for from the beard or byssus of it, the
Italians weave a kind of silk. It is also good for food.
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? 192
THE CREATION.
Nautilus is also of this family. * You remember the shell (beauti-
fully incurvated) in the Museum, where also may be seen, fossil
specimens of the nautilus in great variety.
3. The Multivahes. This species has many doors, and comprise
the Barnacles, and some others.
The study of this varied and beautiful family is called Conchology,
which is derived from two Greek words, meaning the knowledge of shells.
The Zoophyte. This word means, animals which seem to vegetate
like plants. It embraces the Sponge, the Coral, and the Polypus.
The Sponge. This is now believed by all naturalists to be an
animal existence. It is composed of net-work fibres and tubes, finely
woven together. It is found adhering to rocks in the Mediterranean
and Indian Ocean. It is very valuable in many ways; and when
burnt is used as medicine.
The Coral. Linnaeus divides this family into several genera, and
then again into many hundreds of species. It comprises, principally,
the Tubepores (that is, Coral with tube-like pores), Madrepores (with
star-shaped pores), Millepores (similar to the former, but branched
off into many parts), Cellepores (also similar, with little hollow cells),
the name of each defining its character.
Montgomery, in his beautiful poem of the " Pelican Island," has a
great deal of interesting matter as to this branch of the Zoophyte
family.
? See Appendix.
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The Polypus or Hydra inhabits fresh water, and has the singular
power of reproducing its parts, when cut, each part becoming a
perfect whole. The Serlutaire is an extraordinary member of this
family, and emits, if the plant it is fixed on is struck, a bright light.
The Infusoria. This order embraces fourteen genera; some so
minute that they are not visible to the naked eye. Some of these
have shells; some are covered with hair; some are peculiar to the
sea; some to ponds. A good microscope will show, in a drop of
stagnant water, many of these invisible inhabitants of the deep. Our
Poet of the Seasons thus most beautifully speaks of this family:--
" Where the pool
Stands mantled o'er with green--invisible,
Amid the floating verdure millions stray,
Each liquid too, whether it pierces, soothes,
Inflames, refreshes, or exalts the taste,
With various forms abounds ;--nor is the
Stream of purest crystal, nor the lucid air,
Though one transparent vacancy it seems,
Void of their unseen people. "
Thomson.
And now, my dear children, let us proceed to the second great
division of the Fifth day, and consider--
K
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? 194
THE CREATION.
THE BIRDS THAT FLY IN THE OPEN FIRMAMENT.
TABLE OF THE ORDER OF BIRDS.
SO. LATIN NAMF8.
Accipitres
Pica;
Anseres . . .
The Hawk kind. Birds of Prey
Grallse
Gallinae . . .
Struthiores . .
Passeres. .
ColumbaB
ENGLISH NAMES.
Woodpecker . .
Goose
PROPERTIES.
Stilts . .
Fowl . .
Ostrich
Sparrow
Dove . . .
Feet adapted for climbing
Web feet
(Birds with very long|
\ necks and legs j
Domestic and wild game
With very small wings. . .
(All the birds of songi
\ belong to this order. )
Birds of Peace
4
16
13
29
13
3
Many
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Few
Greatvariety
Few
Having considered rather at large, the two great orders of life that
animate the deep, another class of beings now calls for our contem-
plation. --The Fovl of Heaven. " Formed chiefly," says Dr. Mavor,
" to move or float in the element of air, all their parts are wonder-
fully adapted to their destination--light and sharp before, they
cleave the expanse of ether with the greatest facility; and swelling
gradually in the middle, they again terminate in expansive tails,
which preserve the buoyancy, and give direction to the body, while
, the fore part is cutting the air: hence they have been compared to
a vessel in the ocean. The trunk of the animal's body answering to
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? LETTER IX.
195
the hold or lower part of the vessel; the head to the prow; the tail
to the rudder; and the wings to the oars. "
" The external apparatus of birds is not less an object of just
admiration than their shape and figure. The position of their
feathers tending backwards, and regularly laying over each other,
produces warmth, velocity of motion, and security. Next to their
bodies is a beautiful soft down, to protect them from the cold; and
further, to secure them from the injury of violent attrition (which
their swift flight might induce) or wet, birds are furnished with
glands, near their tail, which distil a kind of very fine oil, which
they press out with their bills, and spread over their ruffled plumage. "
This fluid varies in quantities, as the several branches of this great
family need it. The Aquatic birds abound with it; and thus, though
living in the sea, the water runs off their backs as quicksilver docs
from a table, and does not penetrate beneath, where all is warmth
and comfort.
As in the fish, so in the birds, purpose and design are manifest
through the whole of this diversified family. In some this is shown
in the form of the beak; in others, in the length of the neck; in
others, again, in the length of the legs.
Birds are faithful to their mates. Early in the spring, most of
them pair; and often both labour to build their little mansion, the
architecture of which is most beautiful, and man in vain attempts to
imitate it. Sometimes you see these beautiful little builders with a
K2
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THE CREATION.
straw, sometimes with feathers, anything they can weave into their
work; when the house is finished, then the eggs are deposited; for
all birds are oviparous; that is, they bring forth their young encased
in a shell. At the appointed season, the shell is broken, and the
little helpless strangers appear. At first they seem very dispropor-
tioned, being almost all mouth : but this is wisely ordered ; for so the
fond mother and father easily feed them; for both alike foster and
nurse their little family with the tenderest care. But a rapid increase
soon takes place; feathers grow apace; and in a few weeks the family
circle is broken up, and the young birds, fully fledged, provide for
themselves, and, as if the sweetest compact of life was gone, the
woods are no longer vocal with song,--the Nightingale ceases to
sing to its mate, and all is hushed again until the spring. It is this
that makes the solitary song of the sweet little robin-red-breast so
valued. Like a true friend, that keeps to us in summer and winter
alike, he often pours forth his sweetest strains, while all is stormy
and cheerless around.
The migration of birds is a subject full of interest. In a former
part of my letter, I noticed that the herrings also travel from the
polar to the tropical ocean; and now we are called to follow the bird
in its flight. Various are the opinions of naturalists on this subject;
but the most likely is, that the birds whose food fails in our winter,
migrate in the autumn, as the cold increases, to climes more congenial
to them; and so other birds, leaving a still colder country than our
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