It is said that this species has a great
fondness
for human blood.
Childrens - The Creation
He has also added a seventh,
comprising the Whale family, but this last we considered on the fifth
day. These six orders he has divided into forty-four genera, and
subdivided into upwards of eight hundred species. The names of the
respective orders are all taken from the Latin, and are strikingly
significant of their character. I subjoin them, with the English
names opposite:--
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? LETTER XI.
263
MAMMALIA. *
LATIN NAME.
Primates
Brutse
Ferse
Glires
Pecora
Belluae
ENGLISH NAME.
The First
The Brute
The Wild Beast
The Dormouse. .
The Cattle
Great Beasts . . .
PROPERTIES.
Princ. Gramin.
All Graminiv.
All Carnivor.
Princ. Graniv.
Granivorous .
Granivorous .
4
8
10
10
B
3
Many.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Few.
PRIMATES.
THREE GENERA. --MANY SPECIES.
This Order, according to Linnaeus's arrangement, has four genera;
Man the first: but as the first of Genesis is our guide, Man will be
spoken of as altogether distinct from the irrational part of the animal
creation.
This Order comprises, the Ape, the Lemur, and the Bat.
The Ourang is a native of the Molucca Islands, Borneo, Madagas-
car, Africa, and India. Hunting them is the cruel but favourite
amusement in some of these countries.
In stature this animal reaches at times six feet; but, perhaps, com-
paring the accounts of travellers, his stature varies as ours does. The
visage of the Ourang is very like the human face, only the eyes are
sunk very deep in the head, and the whole body is covered lightly
From Mamma, a breast; including all animals that suckle their young.
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? 264
THE CREATION.
with hair. He is fond of society, and possesses so little fear, that
when the natives have a fire in the woods, if the weather is wet or
cold, he will, during their absence, come and warm himself at it.
Various are the tales related of him; some of which are well
authenticated. Buffon, the great naturalist, says he was acquainted
with one of this family, who would sit at table; and whatever he saw
others do, he would imitate,--he would pour out his tea, put sugar
and milk in it, then let it cool, and drink it afterwards as we do. His
deportment was grave, tinctured with melancholy. Still, all he did
was imitative; and thus he soon reached his bounds of knowledge.
The Long-armed Ape. This animal is most expressively named;
for its arms, when it stands erect, or rather stooping, literally touch
the ground. It is much smaller than the Ourang, though, with the
exception of its long arms, it is much like it.
The Pigmy Ape. This curious little animal is not larger than a
cat: it is found in numbers in Ethiopia. They are fond of eggs;
and hence the legendary tales of " the Pigmies," who were represented
as a nation, residing near the fountains of the Nile, annually levying
war against the cranes, to steal their eggs.
The Barbary Ape. This singular creature seems to link the Ape
with the Baboon. It has something like a tail, and a face more like
the quadruped family at large. It is more vicious and mischievous
than any of the Ape family. They generally go in numbers; and will
come and rob the traveller of his eatables, if they meet him alone.
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? LETTER XI. 265
They are about three feet in stature; and are found in Arabia, India,
and Africa.
Baboons. --The Large Baboon. * This is a mischievous looking
animal, very strong, and can go erect, though it usually goes on all-
fours. It lives on fruits and herbs, and rejects all kinds of flesh; but
when caught, and detained a prisoner, it will drink immoderately of
wine and brandy; but this, alas! is of man's teaching; and it is a
species of refined cruelty, to make the animals partakers, if not of the
sin, yet of the sufferings of drunkenness.
This animal sometimes grows to the height of five feet; and is very
savage and ill looking. Its face approaches that of the hog, it is so
truncated; and some parts of it very red.
The Pig-tail Baboon. As the Barbary ape links the ape family
with the baboon, so does this animal link the baboon family with the
monkey. It has a curled tail, six inches long. It is found in Sumatra
and Japan; and is about the size of a cat.
Monkeys. This family is very extensive and varied; and there
are few people of England unacquainted with them. They abound in
? A Cape Baboon having taken off some clothes from the barracks, Lieut. Shipp
formed a party to recover them:--" With twenty men," he says, " I made a circuit
to cut them off from their caverns; they observed my movements, and detached
about fifty to guard the entrance; the others kept their post. We could see them
collecting large stones; and one old grey-headed one was seen distributing his
orders as General. We rushed on to the attack, when, on a scream from him,
they rolled down enormous stones upon us, so that we were forced to give up the
contest. "--Shipp's Mem. vol. i. p. 36.
N
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? 2(JG
THE CREATION.
the warm latitudes; and are full of all kinds of mischief. They are
hunted for amusement; but, my beloved children, I have before
mentioned, that a Christian cannot find pleasure in any thing that
gives even a worm pain,--he delights in mercy; and it is his happi-
ness to make all around him happy.
It is a curious fact, that almost all the monkey family, and this
species among them, employ watchmen. " At the time of the gather-
ing of the sugar cane, a whole herd enters the ground, leaving
a guard at the entrance; who, when he sees an enemy approach,
screams aloud; on which his companions instantly gather up all
the booty they can, and run off on their three legs. "--Bingley,
vol. i. p. 71.
The Chinese Monkey. This is one of the greatest robbers of this
family; and so fearless, that he will often watch till the person who
may have driven him away has gone home; when he will return
again. This animal has a long nose of a whitish colour; the body
is a pale brown.
The Negro Monkey. This creature is about the size of a cat, and
very good tempered. The face is red ; the back and tail black.
The Green Monkey. This is a most beautiful species. Its body is
silvery white; its back a soft downy green. It is found in St. Jago,
Africa, and the East Indies.
The Hare-lipped Monkey. The nostrils of this species are divided as
those of the hare. The body is of a clumsy form. It inhabits.
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? LETTER XI.
2C7
Guinea and Angola. It always carries its tail as an arch. The size
is about that of a small spaniel.
Fair Monkey. The head and ears of this beautiful little creature
are a lively red; the hair white; the tail black. It is little more than
half a foot long; though its tail is nearly double that length. It is
among the most beautiful of this family.
Lemurs. This genus unites the previous branches with the great
family of the quadruped; having its fore feet very much like the
monkey's.
The Ring-tail Macauco. This little creature is about the size of a
cat; with beautifully formed limbs. The tail is twice the length of
the body, and is elegantly marked. The body is covered with a
beautiful soft glossy hair, of reddish colour. This animal is very
easily tamed; and has none of the mischievous propensities of the
monkey. It is a native of Madagascar.
The Ruffled Macauco. This animal is much larger than the Ring-
tailed, and altogether of different habits. Its voice is like that of a
lion; and its ruff, which is of considerable size, round its neck, makes
it look very formidable. However, it is easily domesticated; and then
becomes gentle.
Tailless Macauco. This creature is unlike any of this whole order;
being more like the sloth in its habits. It is found in the woods of
Bengal and Ceylon. It creeps along the ground, and utters a plaintive
n2
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? 268
THE CREATION.
noise. Its food is principally fruit and eggs, and small birds, if it can
surprise them.
Bats. This genus seems to be the link in the great chain between
birds and quadrupeds; but though bats fly, their general character-
istics come nearer to those of the latter. Linnaeus placed them in the
order Primates, because he thought they in some things approximated
to the great human family.
The Common Bat. This species is familiar to all, and on a fine
summer's evening it flits by us in our walks. It dozes away a great
part of its existence, never coming abroad in the day; and when winter
arrives, it finds a snug sequestered cavern, hooks its claws to some
substance of a firm character, and sleeps on for months and months,
unmindful of storms or tempests.
The bat is about the size of a mouse; the four exterior toes of the
fore feet are enormously long, and connected by a thin membrane,
which also reaches the hind legs, and from thence to the tail,--this
forms its wings for flight. The bat brings forth its young as the
mouse, and suckles them.
In England they are amusing to see, but not so in Guinea and
Madagascar. They are there of a larger family, and great enemies to
the farmer.
The Great Bat of Madagascar. The expansion of the wings of this
night monster is near four feet. They assemble in such numbers as to
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? LETTER XL 269
darken the air, and come forth by day as well as night, and devour
anything and everything they can find. The ancients, it is said,
borrowed their ideas of harpies from these animals. At night they
make a dreadful noise in the forests.
It is said that this species has a great fondness for human blood.
Vampyre or Spectre Bat. This animal is less than the Madagascar
one. It is an inhabitant of South America, and lodges in the palm-
trees ; and if the testimony of some travellers be correct, it comes
forth at evening, and sucks the blood of whatever it finds asleep. It
is said that it lights softly on its victim, makes a minute orifice with
its teeth, and sucks the blood till it is satiated. All this while, it
gently agitates the air with its wings, which lulls its prey into a more
profound sleep. *
How little, my dear children, do we value our numberless privi-
leges. Here we have no lions, nor tigers, nor wolves, openly to prey
on us; and no vampyre at night to injure us.
SECOND ORDER --BRUTiE.
EIGHT GENERA-MANY SPECIES.
Some of the animals of this order are armed with strong hoofs, and
masticate their food; others have claws, and a few are toothless. The
principal are, the Elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Sloth, the Ant-eater,
the Manis, and Armadillo. Most of this family feed on vegetables.
? For facts confirmatory of this, see Bingley, vol. i. p. 107,
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? 270
THE CREATION.
The Elephant. This is the largest, the noblest, and the most
sagacious of all the quadruped family. Many of the most learned
men think that it is the "Behemoth"* of Job xl. 15. The word
" Behemoth," as a generic term, means cattle, and occurs in Gen.
i. 25, with singular force, distinguishing, as it is supposed, those animals
which feed on vegetables from those fierce beasts which live on prey.
If this passage, then, describes the Elephant, we have its natural history
unerringly brought before us, under these six particulars:--1st. his
means of support; 2nd. his strength ;f 3rd. his excellency; 4th. his
gentleness; 5th. his place of rest; 6th. his enormous draught of water.
Just read over attentively those passages; and if Cruden's Concordance
? Some have thought, and among them Bockhart, that the Hippopotamus is
the animal meant: but there is one passage, (Job xi. 20,) " Surely the mountains
bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field do play," which I think
strongly leans to the contrary view; for though the Hippopotamus walks in the
valley adjacent to the river, yet I am not aware it is ever said that he is found in
the MOUNTAINS.
t The domestic Elephant performs more work than perhaps six horses, but he
requires from his master much care. He is fed with an abundance of vegetables,
and takes of water, for his daily consumption, forty-five gallons. To give an idea
of the labour which he performs: he is the carrier of all the bales, sacks, &c. from
one part of India to another. When loading boats, he takes up the bales, &c. in
his trunk, and puts them in with exceeding nicety, and then tries if they are firmly
stowed. Sometimes they are left, with a promise of fruit, &c. , for some particular
work; and when their Indian returns, he finds it done : but they cannot bear false-
hoods; and if a promise has been made, and the word broken, instances have been
known of their killing the deceiver, and, as if their character could be heightened,
when this has occurred, and the paroxysm of rage past, they have died of sorrow
for the act. Well, then, for excellency, does the Elephant claim to be the Behe-
moth of Job xl. 19.
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? LETTER XI.
271
is by you, read also his remarks on each verse, as they are very
descriptive.
The stature of this noble animal is sometimes near twelve feet,
though ordinarily about eight or nine. Its food is entirely the herb of
the field. The strength of the Elephant is such, that he will carry a
light wooden castle full of armed men upon his expansive back.
There is a striking description in the First Book of Maccabees,
vi. 34--39, of those in the army of the wicked Antiochus, king of Syria,
which carried in a tower thirty-two armed men. The tower was
strongly built of solid wood, and fastened by devices round the belly.
It is also said, that a thousand armed men in mail, and five hundred
horsemen, always followed each elephant. Its gentleness is not only
exhibited in its tame state, but also when wild; for it is seen at times
in the midst of other beasts, that lay about it without fear. "Its place
of rest," says an ancient historian, " is by the waters, and moist places
so that it may be said to lie among the marshes; and its great draughts
is a fact known to all; for by means of his trunk he will take up an
enormous quantity of water. Still, with all its strength, according to
Gen. ix. 2, it is subdued by man; and becomes even more docile than
the horse. When these animals are only taken for the sake of their
tusks, which are ivory, then the method of procuring them is by the
gun; but when to bring them into servitude, the snare is used ; but the
former is very dangerous. I have listened to our valued friend, Capt.
G. 's escape from one, until I profusely perspired at the mere recital.
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? 272
THE CREATION.
In the days of his youth he had gone out with a friend, Elephant
shooting. They soon discovered a mother with her calf, feeding at a
distance; and getting near, they mortally wounded the young one.
Instantly, the mother, darting round, pursued them. His friend
escaped in a tree; but in an instant the enraged animal seized him
with her trunk, and, raising it up, was about to dash him to the earth,
and trample him to pieces, when the cry of the wounded calf came to
the mother's ear. In the twinkling of an eye, passion and revenge all
gave place to maternal love,--the trunk fell--the prey dropped from it--
and the mother flew away to the poor wounded one. " Thus our friend
escaped. Years after he was brought to know and love the Lord,
and to bless his hand, who had rescued him when there seemed not
a moment between him and eternity.
The longevity and gentleness of the Elephant are beautifully set
forth by that great poet of nature, Thomson:--
" With gentle might endued,
Though powerful, yet not destructive; here he sees
Revolving ages sweep the changeful earth,
And empires rise and fall;--regardless he
Of what the never-resting race of man
Project: thrice happy! could he 'scape their guile,
Who mine, from cruel avarice, his steps.
Or with his towering grandeur swell their state--
The pride of kings--or else his strength pervert,
And bid him rage amid the mortal fray,
Astonished at the madness of mankind. "
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? LETTER XI.
273
The Rhinoceros. This animal also seems among the cattle of the
first of Genesis. It feeds entirely on vegetables. It neither attacks
others, nor suffers himself to be attacked; but then, unlike the ele-
phant, he is perfectly untractable. The form of the rhinoceros is
very bulky; its usual length is about twelve feet, and height seven.
One species of this family has two horns, one behind the other, on the
snout; but those generally known have only one. This protects the
whole face, and is a most formidable weapon; the tiger dreads it more
even than the trunk of the elephant. Sometimes this horn is four
feet in length, and six inches in diameter at the base. The skin of
the rhinoceros is so impenetrable, that the fiercest and strongest
animals cannot hurt it; but to relieve the animal from the insur-
mountable barrier that this would be to active movement, the skin is
looser, and thinner in some parts, and is folded up into plaits, round
the neck, shoulders, and rump, and thus the motion is easy and pliable.
The feet, which, with all the limbs, are most massive, are furnished
with three toes.
The Ant-Eater. The several species of this singular animal all
agree in one great peculiarity,--a long cylindrical tongue, which sup-
plies its want of teeth. The snout of the Ant-Eater is one-fourth the
length of the whole body. In the Liverian Museum there is one of
this family seven feet long, two feet high, the tongue of which is
thirty inches long. The ant is the common food of this animal,
which it procures by laying its curious tongue over a whole host of
n3
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? 274
THE CREATION.
this industrious family, and thus feeds to satiety. They are found in
Guiana and the Brazils.
The Sloth. The name of this animal is descriptive of its character.
The size of the sloth ia about that of the badger. It is a harmless,
inoffensive animal; and feeds entirely on vegetables. It inhabits the
eastern coasts of South America; and is also found in Ceylon and in
India. It lives entirely in trees, about which it travels with great
ease, hanging by its claws.
The Armadillo. This singular creature, in all its species, is entirely
confined to the New World; though, if brought here, it can bear the
cold. It subsists, like most of this Order, on vegetable substances.
The Armadillo is a very peaceable animal. In size, it is between
two and three feet in length; and in shape, it resembles the tortoise,
and is covered with a series of shells, something like those of a lob-
ster. It has a long head and large tail. The rattlesnake and arma-
dillo, it is said, live often in the same cave, some have supposed on
terms of friendship, and others, in a kind of armed neutrality.
THIRD ORDER. --FERiE. "
TEN GENERA. --MANY SPECIES.
In this order we shall find the most ferocious and harmless animals
together; the character of the teeth determining the order. It com-
? Wild beasts,
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? LETTER XI.
275
prises principally, the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Cat, &c. ; the Hyasna,
Wolf, Fox, and Dog; the Bear, Badger, Raccoon, and Glutton; the
Opossum, Kangaroo, &c. ; the Weasel, Ichneumon, and Civet; the
Otter, Pole-cat, Marten, Mole, &c.
The Lion is the head of the genus Felis. The peculiarities of this
family are, that they have six cutting teeth in each jaw, with three
grinders on each side of the upper jaw, and four on each side of the
lower; the tongue furnished with rough sharp prickles, which point
backward, claws sheathed, hooked, and sharp.
The lion is the king of the beasts, and as such is continually
alluded to in the Scriptures. The lion is found chiefly in Africa,
and also the hottest parts of Asia. The form of this noble animal is
truly majestic, and his voice is as the voice of thunder; his head is
Tery large, and is covered with a long shaggy mane; and when en-
raged, his eyes flash terribly. The general length of the lion, when
full grown, is from six to eight feet, and its tail is about four feet
more: this is terminated by a tuft of dark hair. The muscular
power of the paw is tremendous; with one stroke it will knock the
strongest man to the ground.
The lioness is smaller than the lion, and has no mane. Her young,
when first born, are about the size of a small dog. They are suckled
about twelve months. She is not ferocious except when her young
are attacked, but then her fury is unbounded, she will even die in
their defence.
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? 276
THE CREATION.
" Roaring, she frights the herd, and shakes the plain,
Mocks the sling stone, and snaps the spear in twain;
Still guards her young; the hunter's motions thwarts,
And wrenches from her side the reeking darts. "
The strength of the lion is such, that one stroke of his paw will
break the back of a horse; and he seldom bites till he has . struck his
prey dead. At the Cape he has been known to take off a heifer as a
cat does a mouse. Some writers, who have seen a good deal of this
animal, do not speak very highly of his courage, excepting when
impelled by hunger; for instance, if he springs upon an enemy, and
misses his leap, he will give up his prey. In this, my dear children,
we see mercy from Him who gave even this formidable animal this
trait, so beneficial to man and beast.
The lion in general springs on his prey; but sometimes follows it.
Dr. Sparrman gives a most interesting account of the deliverance of a
native of the Cape Country. --" A Hottentot perceiving that he was
followed by a lion, and concluding that the animal only waited the
approach of night to make him his prey, began to consider of the best
mode of providing for his safety, and at length adopted the following:
--Seeing a piece of ground with a precipitate descent on one side,
he sat down by the edge of it, and observed to his great joy that the
lion also halted at a distance from him. As soon as it was dark, the
man sliding gently forward, let himself below the steep, and held up
his cloak and hat a few feet, gently moving them backward and
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?
comprising the Whale family, but this last we considered on the fifth
day. These six orders he has divided into forty-four genera, and
subdivided into upwards of eight hundred species. The names of the
respective orders are all taken from the Latin, and are strikingly
significant of their character. I subjoin them, with the English
names opposite:--
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? LETTER XI.
263
MAMMALIA. *
LATIN NAME.
Primates
Brutse
Ferse
Glires
Pecora
Belluae
ENGLISH NAME.
The First
The Brute
The Wild Beast
The Dormouse. .
The Cattle
Great Beasts . . .
PROPERTIES.
Princ. Gramin.
All Graminiv.
All Carnivor.
Princ. Graniv.
Granivorous .
Granivorous .
4
8
10
10
B
3
Many.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Few.
PRIMATES.
THREE GENERA. --MANY SPECIES.
This Order, according to Linnaeus's arrangement, has four genera;
Man the first: but as the first of Genesis is our guide, Man will be
spoken of as altogether distinct from the irrational part of the animal
creation.
This Order comprises, the Ape, the Lemur, and the Bat.
The Ourang is a native of the Molucca Islands, Borneo, Madagas-
car, Africa, and India. Hunting them is the cruel but favourite
amusement in some of these countries.
In stature this animal reaches at times six feet; but, perhaps, com-
paring the accounts of travellers, his stature varies as ours does. The
visage of the Ourang is very like the human face, only the eyes are
sunk very deep in the head, and the whole body is covered lightly
From Mamma, a breast; including all animals that suckle their young.
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? 264
THE CREATION.
with hair. He is fond of society, and possesses so little fear, that
when the natives have a fire in the woods, if the weather is wet or
cold, he will, during their absence, come and warm himself at it.
Various are the tales related of him; some of which are well
authenticated. Buffon, the great naturalist, says he was acquainted
with one of this family, who would sit at table; and whatever he saw
others do, he would imitate,--he would pour out his tea, put sugar
and milk in it, then let it cool, and drink it afterwards as we do. His
deportment was grave, tinctured with melancholy. Still, all he did
was imitative; and thus he soon reached his bounds of knowledge.
The Long-armed Ape. This animal is most expressively named;
for its arms, when it stands erect, or rather stooping, literally touch
the ground. It is much smaller than the Ourang, though, with the
exception of its long arms, it is much like it.
The Pigmy Ape. This curious little animal is not larger than a
cat: it is found in numbers in Ethiopia. They are fond of eggs;
and hence the legendary tales of " the Pigmies," who were represented
as a nation, residing near the fountains of the Nile, annually levying
war against the cranes, to steal their eggs.
The Barbary Ape. This singular creature seems to link the Ape
with the Baboon. It has something like a tail, and a face more like
the quadruped family at large. It is more vicious and mischievous
than any of the Ape family. They generally go in numbers; and will
come and rob the traveller of his eatables, if they meet him alone.
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? LETTER XI. 265
They are about three feet in stature; and are found in Arabia, India,
and Africa.
Baboons. --The Large Baboon. * This is a mischievous looking
animal, very strong, and can go erect, though it usually goes on all-
fours. It lives on fruits and herbs, and rejects all kinds of flesh; but
when caught, and detained a prisoner, it will drink immoderately of
wine and brandy; but this, alas! is of man's teaching; and it is a
species of refined cruelty, to make the animals partakers, if not of the
sin, yet of the sufferings of drunkenness.
This animal sometimes grows to the height of five feet; and is very
savage and ill looking. Its face approaches that of the hog, it is so
truncated; and some parts of it very red.
The Pig-tail Baboon. As the Barbary ape links the ape family
with the baboon, so does this animal link the baboon family with the
monkey. It has a curled tail, six inches long. It is found in Sumatra
and Japan; and is about the size of a cat.
Monkeys. This family is very extensive and varied; and there
are few people of England unacquainted with them. They abound in
? A Cape Baboon having taken off some clothes from the barracks, Lieut. Shipp
formed a party to recover them:--" With twenty men," he says, " I made a circuit
to cut them off from their caverns; they observed my movements, and detached
about fifty to guard the entrance; the others kept their post. We could see them
collecting large stones; and one old grey-headed one was seen distributing his
orders as General. We rushed on to the attack, when, on a scream from him,
they rolled down enormous stones upon us, so that we were forced to give up the
contest. "--Shipp's Mem. vol. i. p. 36.
N
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? 2(JG
THE CREATION.
the warm latitudes; and are full of all kinds of mischief. They are
hunted for amusement; but, my beloved children, I have before
mentioned, that a Christian cannot find pleasure in any thing that
gives even a worm pain,--he delights in mercy; and it is his happi-
ness to make all around him happy.
It is a curious fact, that almost all the monkey family, and this
species among them, employ watchmen. " At the time of the gather-
ing of the sugar cane, a whole herd enters the ground, leaving
a guard at the entrance; who, when he sees an enemy approach,
screams aloud; on which his companions instantly gather up all
the booty they can, and run off on their three legs. "--Bingley,
vol. i. p. 71.
The Chinese Monkey. This is one of the greatest robbers of this
family; and so fearless, that he will often watch till the person who
may have driven him away has gone home; when he will return
again. This animal has a long nose of a whitish colour; the body
is a pale brown.
The Negro Monkey. This creature is about the size of a cat, and
very good tempered. The face is red ; the back and tail black.
The Green Monkey. This is a most beautiful species. Its body is
silvery white; its back a soft downy green. It is found in St. Jago,
Africa, and the East Indies.
The Hare-lipped Monkey. The nostrils of this species are divided as
those of the hare. The body is of a clumsy form. It inhabits.
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? LETTER XI.
2C7
Guinea and Angola. It always carries its tail as an arch. The size
is about that of a small spaniel.
Fair Monkey. The head and ears of this beautiful little creature
are a lively red; the hair white; the tail black. It is little more than
half a foot long; though its tail is nearly double that length. It is
among the most beautiful of this family.
Lemurs. This genus unites the previous branches with the great
family of the quadruped; having its fore feet very much like the
monkey's.
The Ring-tail Macauco. This little creature is about the size of a
cat; with beautifully formed limbs. The tail is twice the length of
the body, and is elegantly marked. The body is covered with a
beautiful soft glossy hair, of reddish colour. This animal is very
easily tamed; and has none of the mischievous propensities of the
monkey. It is a native of Madagascar.
The Ruffled Macauco. This animal is much larger than the Ring-
tailed, and altogether of different habits. Its voice is like that of a
lion; and its ruff, which is of considerable size, round its neck, makes
it look very formidable. However, it is easily domesticated; and then
becomes gentle.
Tailless Macauco. This creature is unlike any of this whole order;
being more like the sloth in its habits. It is found in the woods of
Bengal and Ceylon. It creeps along the ground, and utters a plaintive
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? 268
THE CREATION.
noise. Its food is principally fruit and eggs, and small birds, if it can
surprise them.
Bats. This genus seems to be the link in the great chain between
birds and quadrupeds; but though bats fly, their general character-
istics come nearer to those of the latter. Linnaeus placed them in the
order Primates, because he thought they in some things approximated
to the great human family.
The Common Bat. This species is familiar to all, and on a fine
summer's evening it flits by us in our walks. It dozes away a great
part of its existence, never coming abroad in the day; and when winter
arrives, it finds a snug sequestered cavern, hooks its claws to some
substance of a firm character, and sleeps on for months and months,
unmindful of storms or tempests.
The bat is about the size of a mouse; the four exterior toes of the
fore feet are enormously long, and connected by a thin membrane,
which also reaches the hind legs, and from thence to the tail,--this
forms its wings for flight. The bat brings forth its young as the
mouse, and suckles them.
In England they are amusing to see, but not so in Guinea and
Madagascar. They are there of a larger family, and great enemies to
the farmer.
The Great Bat of Madagascar. The expansion of the wings of this
night monster is near four feet. They assemble in such numbers as to
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? LETTER XL 269
darken the air, and come forth by day as well as night, and devour
anything and everything they can find. The ancients, it is said,
borrowed their ideas of harpies from these animals. At night they
make a dreadful noise in the forests.
It is said that this species has a great fondness for human blood.
Vampyre or Spectre Bat. This animal is less than the Madagascar
one. It is an inhabitant of South America, and lodges in the palm-
trees ; and if the testimony of some travellers be correct, it comes
forth at evening, and sucks the blood of whatever it finds asleep. It
is said that it lights softly on its victim, makes a minute orifice with
its teeth, and sucks the blood till it is satiated. All this while, it
gently agitates the air with its wings, which lulls its prey into a more
profound sleep. *
How little, my dear children, do we value our numberless privi-
leges. Here we have no lions, nor tigers, nor wolves, openly to prey
on us; and no vampyre at night to injure us.
SECOND ORDER --BRUTiE.
EIGHT GENERA-MANY SPECIES.
Some of the animals of this order are armed with strong hoofs, and
masticate their food; others have claws, and a few are toothless. The
principal are, the Elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Sloth, the Ant-eater,
the Manis, and Armadillo. Most of this family feed on vegetables.
? For facts confirmatory of this, see Bingley, vol. i. p. 107,
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? 270
THE CREATION.
The Elephant. This is the largest, the noblest, and the most
sagacious of all the quadruped family. Many of the most learned
men think that it is the "Behemoth"* of Job xl. 15. The word
" Behemoth," as a generic term, means cattle, and occurs in Gen.
i. 25, with singular force, distinguishing, as it is supposed, those animals
which feed on vegetables from those fierce beasts which live on prey.
If this passage, then, describes the Elephant, we have its natural history
unerringly brought before us, under these six particulars:--1st. his
means of support; 2nd. his strength ;f 3rd. his excellency; 4th. his
gentleness; 5th. his place of rest; 6th. his enormous draught of water.
Just read over attentively those passages; and if Cruden's Concordance
? Some have thought, and among them Bockhart, that the Hippopotamus is
the animal meant: but there is one passage, (Job xi. 20,) " Surely the mountains
bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field do play," which I think
strongly leans to the contrary view; for though the Hippopotamus walks in the
valley adjacent to the river, yet I am not aware it is ever said that he is found in
the MOUNTAINS.
t The domestic Elephant performs more work than perhaps six horses, but he
requires from his master much care. He is fed with an abundance of vegetables,
and takes of water, for his daily consumption, forty-five gallons. To give an idea
of the labour which he performs: he is the carrier of all the bales, sacks, &c. from
one part of India to another. When loading boats, he takes up the bales, &c. in
his trunk, and puts them in with exceeding nicety, and then tries if they are firmly
stowed. Sometimes they are left, with a promise of fruit, &c. , for some particular
work; and when their Indian returns, he finds it done : but they cannot bear false-
hoods; and if a promise has been made, and the word broken, instances have been
known of their killing the deceiver, and, as if their character could be heightened,
when this has occurred, and the paroxysm of rage past, they have died of sorrow
for the act. Well, then, for excellency, does the Elephant claim to be the Behe-
moth of Job xl. 19.
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? LETTER XI.
271
is by you, read also his remarks on each verse, as they are very
descriptive.
The stature of this noble animal is sometimes near twelve feet,
though ordinarily about eight or nine. Its food is entirely the herb of
the field. The strength of the Elephant is such, that he will carry a
light wooden castle full of armed men upon his expansive back.
There is a striking description in the First Book of Maccabees,
vi. 34--39, of those in the army of the wicked Antiochus, king of Syria,
which carried in a tower thirty-two armed men. The tower was
strongly built of solid wood, and fastened by devices round the belly.
It is also said, that a thousand armed men in mail, and five hundred
horsemen, always followed each elephant. Its gentleness is not only
exhibited in its tame state, but also when wild; for it is seen at times
in the midst of other beasts, that lay about it without fear. "Its place
of rest," says an ancient historian, " is by the waters, and moist places
so that it may be said to lie among the marshes; and its great draughts
is a fact known to all; for by means of his trunk he will take up an
enormous quantity of water. Still, with all its strength, according to
Gen. ix. 2, it is subdued by man; and becomes even more docile than
the horse. When these animals are only taken for the sake of their
tusks, which are ivory, then the method of procuring them is by the
gun; but when to bring them into servitude, the snare is used ; but the
former is very dangerous. I have listened to our valued friend, Capt.
G. 's escape from one, until I profusely perspired at the mere recital.
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? 272
THE CREATION.
In the days of his youth he had gone out with a friend, Elephant
shooting. They soon discovered a mother with her calf, feeding at a
distance; and getting near, they mortally wounded the young one.
Instantly, the mother, darting round, pursued them. His friend
escaped in a tree; but in an instant the enraged animal seized him
with her trunk, and, raising it up, was about to dash him to the earth,
and trample him to pieces, when the cry of the wounded calf came to
the mother's ear. In the twinkling of an eye, passion and revenge all
gave place to maternal love,--the trunk fell--the prey dropped from it--
and the mother flew away to the poor wounded one. " Thus our friend
escaped. Years after he was brought to know and love the Lord,
and to bless his hand, who had rescued him when there seemed not
a moment between him and eternity.
The longevity and gentleness of the Elephant are beautifully set
forth by that great poet of nature, Thomson:--
" With gentle might endued,
Though powerful, yet not destructive; here he sees
Revolving ages sweep the changeful earth,
And empires rise and fall;--regardless he
Of what the never-resting race of man
Project: thrice happy! could he 'scape their guile,
Who mine, from cruel avarice, his steps.
Or with his towering grandeur swell their state--
The pride of kings--or else his strength pervert,
And bid him rage amid the mortal fray,
Astonished at the madness of mankind. "
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? LETTER XI.
273
The Rhinoceros. This animal also seems among the cattle of the
first of Genesis. It feeds entirely on vegetables. It neither attacks
others, nor suffers himself to be attacked; but then, unlike the ele-
phant, he is perfectly untractable. The form of the rhinoceros is
very bulky; its usual length is about twelve feet, and height seven.
One species of this family has two horns, one behind the other, on the
snout; but those generally known have only one. This protects the
whole face, and is a most formidable weapon; the tiger dreads it more
even than the trunk of the elephant. Sometimes this horn is four
feet in length, and six inches in diameter at the base. The skin of
the rhinoceros is so impenetrable, that the fiercest and strongest
animals cannot hurt it; but to relieve the animal from the insur-
mountable barrier that this would be to active movement, the skin is
looser, and thinner in some parts, and is folded up into plaits, round
the neck, shoulders, and rump, and thus the motion is easy and pliable.
The feet, which, with all the limbs, are most massive, are furnished
with three toes.
The Ant-Eater. The several species of this singular animal all
agree in one great peculiarity,--a long cylindrical tongue, which sup-
plies its want of teeth. The snout of the Ant-Eater is one-fourth the
length of the whole body. In the Liverian Museum there is one of
this family seven feet long, two feet high, the tongue of which is
thirty inches long. The ant is the common food of this animal,
which it procures by laying its curious tongue over a whole host of
n3
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? 274
THE CREATION.
this industrious family, and thus feeds to satiety. They are found in
Guiana and the Brazils.
The Sloth. The name of this animal is descriptive of its character.
The size of the sloth ia about that of the badger. It is a harmless,
inoffensive animal; and feeds entirely on vegetables. It inhabits the
eastern coasts of South America; and is also found in Ceylon and in
India. It lives entirely in trees, about which it travels with great
ease, hanging by its claws.
The Armadillo. This singular creature, in all its species, is entirely
confined to the New World; though, if brought here, it can bear the
cold. It subsists, like most of this Order, on vegetable substances.
The Armadillo is a very peaceable animal. In size, it is between
two and three feet in length; and in shape, it resembles the tortoise,
and is covered with a series of shells, something like those of a lob-
ster. It has a long head and large tail. The rattlesnake and arma-
dillo, it is said, live often in the same cave, some have supposed on
terms of friendship, and others, in a kind of armed neutrality.
THIRD ORDER. --FERiE. "
TEN GENERA. --MANY SPECIES.
In this order we shall find the most ferocious and harmless animals
together; the character of the teeth determining the order. It com-
? Wild beasts,
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? LETTER XI.
275
prises principally, the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Cat, &c. ; the Hyasna,
Wolf, Fox, and Dog; the Bear, Badger, Raccoon, and Glutton; the
Opossum, Kangaroo, &c. ; the Weasel, Ichneumon, and Civet; the
Otter, Pole-cat, Marten, Mole, &c.
The Lion is the head of the genus Felis. The peculiarities of this
family are, that they have six cutting teeth in each jaw, with three
grinders on each side of the upper jaw, and four on each side of the
lower; the tongue furnished with rough sharp prickles, which point
backward, claws sheathed, hooked, and sharp.
The lion is the king of the beasts, and as such is continually
alluded to in the Scriptures. The lion is found chiefly in Africa,
and also the hottest parts of Asia. The form of this noble animal is
truly majestic, and his voice is as the voice of thunder; his head is
Tery large, and is covered with a long shaggy mane; and when en-
raged, his eyes flash terribly. The general length of the lion, when
full grown, is from six to eight feet, and its tail is about four feet
more: this is terminated by a tuft of dark hair. The muscular
power of the paw is tremendous; with one stroke it will knock the
strongest man to the ground.
The lioness is smaller than the lion, and has no mane. Her young,
when first born, are about the size of a small dog. They are suckled
about twelve months. She is not ferocious except when her young
are attacked, but then her fury is unbounded, she will even die in
their defence.
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? 276
THE CREATION.
" Roaring, she frights the herd, and shakes the plain,
Mocks the sling stone, and snaps the spear in twain;
Still guards her young; the hunter's motions thwarts,
And wrenches from her side the reeking darts. "
The strength of the lion is such, that one stroke of his paw will
break the back of a horse; and he seldom bites till he has . struck his
prey dead. At the Cape he has been known to take off a heifer as a
cat does a mouse. Some writers, who have seen a good deal of this
animal, do not speak very highly of his courage, excepting when
impelled by hunger; for instance, if he springs upon an enemy, and
misses his leap, he will give up his prey. In this, my dear children,
we see mercy from Him who gave even this formidable animal this
trait, so beneficial to man and beast.
The lion in general springs on his prey; but sometimes follows it.
Dr. Sparrman gives a most interesting account of the deliverance of a
native of the Cape Country. --" A Hottentot perceiving that he was
followed by a lion, and concluding that the animal only waited the
approach of night to make him his prey, began to consider of the best
mode of providing for his safety, and at length adopted the following:
--Seeing a piece of ground with a precipitate descent on one side,
he sat down by the edge of it, and observed to his great joy that the
lion also halted at a distance from him. As soon as it was dark, the
man sliding gently forward, let himself below the steep, and held up
his cloak and hat a few feet, gently moving them backward and
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