THE BAT. or of smell, were the media through which bats obtain perceptions of the presence and situation of surrounding bodies; but he ascribes this extraordinary faculty to the great sensibility of the skin of the upper jaw, mouth, and external ear, which are furnished with very large nerves.* THE LION. The lion will serve as a worthy representative for the order feræ. To this animal is generally awarded the honorable distinction of king of the brute creationnot for either his size, strength, agility, or intelligence alone, but for an unusual combination of them all. There is no animal which does not tremble at his approach; all acknowledge his superior prowess, though some occasionally meet him in deadly strife. His structure is peculiarly adapted to his habits of life-strong and elastic. He springs upon his prey like the cat, but THE bat belongs to the order carnassiers. It is the only quadruped that can properly be said to be endowed with the power of flying. "In this animal the portions of the skeleton which correspond to the phalanges of the fingers, are extended to an enormous length, and the pectoral muscles, which move the anterior extremities, are of extraordinary size and power. In the larger species, each wing is at least two feet in length. The fine membrane, which is spread between these lengthened fingers, has its origin in the sides of the neck, and reaches all along the body to the extremities of the hinder legs, which it incloses in its folds. Thus, not only is the surface, by which it acts upon the air, suffi-if he misses it, it is said that he does not pursue it farciently extensive; but the muscular power, by which its motions are effected, is adequate to give it those quick and sudden impulses which are requisite for flying: and thus, although its structure is totally different from that of birds, it yet performs fully the office of a real wing. The bat flies with perfect ease, even while carrying along with it one or two of its young: it is not, however, fitted for very long flights."* The structure of the skeleton is peculiarly fitted for this mode of || Dr. Sparman, however, is undoubtedly right in attribulocomotion, the fore extremities being strong and capacious, and the hinder light. Some species of the bat are known to suck the blood of man and other animals. This is especially true of some which inhabit South America. It is represented as dangerous to sleep on the banks of the Orinoco, without being carefully protected against the attacks of these blood-thirsty animals. It is especially dangerous to leave the feet uncovered. "Persons thus attacked || have been known to be near passing from a sound sleep into eternity. The bat is to dexterous a bleeder, as to insinuate its aculeated tongue into a vein without being perceived, and then suck the blood until it is satiated; all the while fanning with its wings, and agitating the air in that hot climate in so pleasing a manner as to fling the sufferer into a still sounder sleep." Cattle also are often destroyed. Bats have been supposed to possess a peculiar, or sixth sense, enabling them to perceive the situations of external objects, without the aid either of vision or of touch. The principal facts upon which this opinion has been founded, were discovered by Spallanzani, who observed that these animals would fly about rapidly in the darkest chambers, although various obstacles were purposely placed in their way, without striking against, or even touching them. They continued their flight with the same precision as before, threading their way through the most intricate passages, when their eyes were completely covered, or even destroyed. Mr. Jurine, who made many experiments on these animals, concludes that neither the senses of touch, of hearing, *Roget. ther. He clears from fifteen to twenty feet at a single bound. It is by a blow with the fore leg, which is armed by a set of truly formidable claws, that he generally executes his deadly purpose. The roaring of the lion has generally been represented as exceedingly terrific, though but his ordinary voice. When irritated his cry is said to be shorter, repeated more suddenly, and still more terrific than his roaring. ting much of the terror excited by the roar of the lion to association. The following are some of his remarks upon the subject: "The roaring of the lion consists in a hoarse inarticulate sound, which at the same time seems to have a hollowness in it something like that produced from a speaking trumpet. The sound is between that of a German u and an o, being drawn to a great length, and appearing as if it came out of the ground; at the same time that, after listening with the greatest attention, I could not exactly hear from what quarter it came. The sound of the lion's voice does not bear the least resemblance to thunder, as Buffon affirms it does. In fact, it appeared to me to be neither peculiarly piercing nor tremendous; yet from its slow, prolonged note, joined with nocturnal darkness, and the terrible idea one is apt to form to one's self of this animal, it made me shudder, even in such places as I had an opportunity of hearing it, without having the least occasion for fear. We could plainly perceive by our cattle," continues the same author, "when the lions, whether they roared or not, were reconnoitering us at a small distance. For in that case the hounds did not dare to bark in the least, but crept quite close to the Hottentots; and our oxen and horses sighed deeply, frequently hanging back, and pulling slowly with all their might at the strong straps with which they were tied up to the wagon. They likewise laid themselves down upon the ground, and stood up alternately, appearing as if they did not know what to do with themselves, or rather, just as if they were in the agcaies of death." * Roget. The Doctor detracts considerably from the character || ber early in the summer. They set about building of courage and generosity generally ascribed to the lion. sometime in the month of August. Those that erect "It is not in magnanimity," says he, "as many will their habitations in small creeks or rivers, in which the have it to be, but in an insidious and cowardly disposi-water is liable to be drained off, with wonderful sagacity tion, blended with a certain degree of pride, that the provide against that evil by forming a dike across the general character of the lion consists; though hunger stream, almost straight where the current is weak, but must naturally have the effect of now and then inspir- where it is more rapid, curving more or less, with the ing so strong and nimble an animal with uncommon convex side opposed to the stream. They construct intrepidity and courage." In another place, after men- these dikes, or dams, of the same materials as they do tioning a case in which the life of a man was spared their lodges, namely, of pieces of wood of any kind, of by a lion, our author waxes warm upon this subject: stones, mud, and sand. These cause-ways oppose a "I do not rightly know how to account for this merci- sufficient barrier to the force both of water and ice; and ful disposition toward mankind. Does it proceed from as the willows, poplars, &c., employed in constructing the lion's greater respect and veneration for man, as them, often strike root in it, it becomes in time a green being equal to, or even a mightier tyrant than himself || hedge in which birds build their nests. Cartwright among the animal creation? Or is it merely from the says that he occasionally used them as bridges; but as same caprice which has sometimes induced him not only they are level with the water, not without wetting his to spare the lives of men or brute creatures which have feet. By means of these erections, the water is kept been given up to him for prey, but even to caress them, at a sufficient height; for it is absolutely necessary that and treat them with the greatest kindness? Whims there should be at least three feet of water above the and freaks of this kind have perhaps in a great meas- extremity of the entry into their lodges, without which, ure acquired for the lion the reputation it has for gen- in the hard frosts, it would be entirely closed. This erosity; but I cannot allow this specious name, sacred entry is not on the land side, because such an opening only to virtue, to be lavished upon a wild beast. Slaves, might let in the wolverine, and other fierce beasts, but indeed, and wretches of servile minds, are wont with towards the water. The number inhabiting one lodge this attribute to flatter their greatest tyrants; but with seldom exceeds four old, and six or eight young ones; what show of reason can this attribute be bestowed the size of their houses, therefore, is regulated by the upon the most powerful tyrant among quadrupeds, be- number of the family. Though built of the same macause it does not exercise an equal degree of cruelty terials, they are of much ruder structure than their upon all occasions? That the lion does not, like the cause-ways, and the only object of their erection apwolf, tiger, and some other beasts of prey, kill a great pears to be a dry apartment to repose in, and where deal of game, or cattle at one time, perhaps proceeds they can eat the food they occasionally get out of the from this, that while he is employed in attacking one water. It frequently happens that some of the large or two of them, the remainder fly farther than accords houses have one or more partitions; but these are with the natural indolence of this beast to follow them." merely part of the building left to support the roof. The lion inhabits the tropical regions of Asia and Af- The communication between the several apartments is rica. There is no evidence that it ever existed upon for the most part under water. When they build, their this continent. If taken when young, it may be so far first step is to make choice of a natural basin, of a cerdomesticated as to yield a reluctant obedience to man||tain depth, near the bank where there is no rock; they when confined. THE BEAVER then begin to excavate under water, at the base of the bank, which they enlarge upward gradually, and so as is the most remarkable animal belonging to the order to form a declivity, till they reach the surface; and of rodentia. It is about two feet in length, "has five toes the earth which comes out of this cavity they form a on all its feet, which in the hind pair are connected by hillock, with which they mix small pieces of wood, and membrane; those of the fore leg, which it uses as a even stones: they give this hillock the form of a dome hand to convey its food to its mouth, are very distinct. from four to seven feet high, from ten to twelve long, They carry also with these hands the mud and stones and from eight to nine wide. As they proceed in which they mix with the wooden part of their build-heightening, they hollow it out below so as to form the ings. But their incisor teeth are their principal instru- lodge which is to receive the family. At the anterior ments; with these they cut down trees six or eight inch-part of this dwelling they form a gentle declivity, teres in diameter. When they undertake this operation, minating at the water, so that they enter and go out they gnaw it all round, cutting it sagaciously higher on one side than on the other, by which it is caused to fall in the direction they wished. They not only use these powerful organs to fell the trees they select, but also to drag them to the place where they want them." under water. The hunters name this entrance the angle. When there is no partition the interior resembles an oven. At a little distance is the magazine for provisions. Here they keep in store the roots of the yellow water-lily, and the branches of the black spruce, "From the breaking up of the frost till the fall of the the aspen, and birch, which they are careful to plant in leaf, the beavers desert their lodges, and roam about un- the mud. These form their subsistence. Their maghoused, and unoccupied by their usual labors, except azines sometimes contain a cart-load of these articles, that they have the foresight to begin felling their tim-and the beavers are so industrious, that they are always 296 THE DISCREET MOTHER. adding to their store." The beaver is found in great abundance in the northern parts of this country, and is extensively hunted for its fur, which forms an important article of commerce. * Kirby. Original. THE DISCREET MOTHER. CHARLES ARCHER, after fidgeting about a good deal, said, "Mother, Lydia has not gone away to stay, has she?" Lydia was the hired domestic of the family. "Yes, Charles," said the mother, with seriousness and impression. Charles flushed, and looked frightened and distressed for a moment, but added nothing. It might be seen during dinner that he was not only not polite, but absolutely petulant, even to his mother. He did not affect to assist in the conversation; but when the subject happened to turn upon treatment to inferiors, his bile vented itself in the rather pointed observation, that “for his part he thought they had rights of gratitude as well as others, but some people could receive all their services, and then thrust them out in some fit of caprice, and care no more for them." His father gave him a hard, stern look, at which his mother commuted her intended reproof into a generalizing of the subject, and said, "Yes, there are a great many such people. It is a hard world, and (she added in a softened tone) it is full of sin of all sorts." 66 day by day, the sundering you had been a matter of deep suffering, perhaps to both, and to me and to your father. Very possibly I should have said, marry her; for the sorrows of life have so wrought in me, that I respect realities of right and of feeling before the proprieties of place—and yet these ought to be respected, and the sacrifice to principle had cost me much. Your father would never have been reconciled, and this disappointment in you, his only son, would have embittered his remnant of life, and of course have rendered me and all the family extremely unhappy. But for you, my son, you would have found yourself, at least partially, displaced from society; and if your wife were admitted, no one in a class of polished life would pay those respectful attentions which Charles Archer would think were due to his wife. In short, for your sake, she would hold a place by sufference in that society, where, if properly connected, you would claim the preeminence. Your pride, Charles-which I hope you will conquer before you advance very far in life, as I have mine—your pride would have been hourly offended, through the person whom it were your duty to love before all others; and however good Lydia is in many points of character, she is not a match for you. Your tastes would have been continually violated by her want of refinement; and in short, as it is your decision to give her up, for a transient pain you have escaped a great unhappiness-the unhappiness of an ill-assorted marriage. We have stopped in season. Should a son of mine betray an innocent girl-however unpremeditated the crime-he should marry her-he should not screen himself by the 'usages of society,' or 'regard to his family,' or any other flimsy plea. The ignominy he had sought he should suffer. Our place in society is a high one, and at least we would not debase it by the ignominy of so great a wrong. Forgive me, son, that I left you so long exposed." Charles had never seen his mother so much moved, or so commanding. In his habitual reverence, his good sense found place to act-he saw that he would have been ruined. He was touched and convinced; he kissed her cheek, and said, "It is well, mother." She said, "Bless my son, it is well!" Mr. A. was called out as soon as dessert was over. Charles mustered himself, and came out boldly to the subject. "Mother, what made you send Lydia away?" His mother also spoke with as much boldness, although the decision cost her some painful feelings, and the effort to meet her grown son upon a subject which, by tacit compact, was one which had been sealed as never to be invaded by either: but she was a faithful mother, a woman of decided principle; so she said, with an assured voice, "Charles, do you wish to marry Lydia?" Marry Lydia! Ma, what do you mean?" "I mean simply what I say-do you wish to marry Lydia?" Charles was extremely red, and in his earnestness his mouth and tongue were entirely dry, and with a husky Five years after, as Charles Archer stood with his voice he said, "Do you think I would do such a thing? highly gifted wife by the coffin of that mother, and Would you think it suitable for me?" he added, reproach- kissed the pale forehead for the last time, the vision fully. "No, my son, I would not think it suitable for came brightly up-again her cheeks glowed and her you. But," she added with authority, in a subdued, eyes sparkled, as in that hour of saving eloquence, when though positive tone, "if you do not wish to marry in her love she had dictated a course of honor to her her, I have not removed her one day too soon. I have grown son. He remembered her truth, her goodness, ⚫ seen instances—and forgive me, son, that I left you so her high-souled generosity, her sacrificing love for him, long exposed-I have seen instances of a possible, a and whilst the tears rained down his face, he compresgrowing regard in you towards Lydia. She, fortunate-sed his strongly-clasped hands, and said with fervor, ly, being neither vain nor ambitious, has as yet remain-"It is well." ed insensible (being also defended by a sense of her subordinate position) and unconscious; and it was my desire to shield her, as well as yourself, that decided me in a step which interferes so much with my convenience. You feel, I perceive, some uneasiness now; but if she had remained longer, serving and obliging you C. M. B. "OFT have we seen a distant flow'ry plain, Original. LAWS OF NATURE. BY L. M. LAWSON, M. D. power, or as being essential and eternal, still the same general laws guide and sustain from beginning to ending. It should never be forgotten, that in the manifes tations of extraordinary phenomena there is not necessarily a direct interposition of Deity, developing new MUCH of the mental and physical pain, incidental to combinations and results, but that they may be referable human imperfection, springs from misconceptions of the to the original, primitive laws of matter, coeval with laws that govern nature. Influenced by hasty and in-creation, and at all times preserving the harmony of accurate generalization, or misled by traditionary superstition, the appropriate elementary laws are apt to be mistaken for supernatural agency. Every department of nature, in its most simple as well as complicated relations, is governed by a series of uniform and fixed laws; and while the progress of time exercises a transmuting influence over the face of things, and hastens all material existence to its final destination, still each primitive atom responds to the first ruling principle that governs in harmonious perfection the entire universe. These laws, however, in their varied manifestations, are often beyond the profoundest depths of human philosophy. But because of our inability to give satisfactory explanations, we are not to deny the identity of the cause of ordinary and extraordinary phenomena; indeed, we cannot trace to its final cause the most simple operation in nature. We may correctly explain general properties and habitudes, but in attempting to elucidate the essence of matter-its origin or destination, except by reference to the power of Omnipotence, total discomfiture is the result. the universe. Many of the more violent meteorological changes are referred with commendable reverence, but without much exercise of reason, to the immediate agency of the Creator, thereby placing at his command a convenient system of rewards and punishments. If, however, we have adequate conceptions of Divine Wisdom, and free him from the necessity of constantly interposing aid, like an unskillful machinist, to keep his works in operation, we are at once inducted to correct and satisfactory conclusions. A very remarkable misapprehension exists in relation to the motion of the earth. It is a matter of great surprise that in this enlightened age any person should be found so defective in information as to suppose that the regular return of day and night is effected by the sun actually whirling around the earth once in twentyfour hours. Such, however, is the fact; and so confirmed are many in this belief, that no argument can produce conviction of the error, especially having, as they suppose, the authority of the Bible for the opinion. But the circumstance of Joshua commanding the sun to stand still, proves nothing in relation to the laws governing the motion of these two bodies; and as the Yankee minister remarked, to offset his opinion, the sun was not commanded to start again; so it must yet remain stationary. The impropriety of attributing unusual occurrences to deviations from common laws is very obvious. Take, for example, nature's most terrific contortions-witness the wildest fury of the storm-the vivid glare of the electric fluid-its explosive violence in the "deep-toned thunder "-the vehement commotion of the raging wind, and the mountain waves rising in obedience to The subject of dreams presents another instance the "spirit" of the storm, each adding grandeur and of much error and superstition. This peculiar mode sublimity to its associate power. Behold the volcano's of intellectual operations is supposed to depart from molten lava rushing from its unfathomable depths-common laws, and to be the result of supernatural the tossing of earth from pole to pole, as if rocked by the hand of Deity-witness all these, and ask, are they the result of the laws of nature? Just as certainly are these phenomena the legitimate effects of natural laws, as are the refreshing showers, smiling sun, and blooming verdure of a genial season. agency, giving rise in many instances to much unnecessary alarm. It must frequently result from a partial suspension of intellectual phenomena during imperfect sleep, that some of the faculties will be so much excited as to be competent to produce ideas, more or less perfect, as the excitement and number of orNor are misconceptions of the force of natural laws gans are increased. The sources of excitation, of perthe only source of error. Were we to give undue || ception, memory, imagination, reasoning, &c., may license to overflowing imagination, always brought consist in undue importance attached to slight pain exinto activity by contemplating boundless space-and were we thus to follow the sinuosities of fancy through unfrequented solitudes, marked only by the track of worlds, we might well pause, and in the delirium of extended thought deny the reality of corporeal bodies, and our own existence, and with Mr. Hume resolve every thing tangible into a delusive dream, and finally become confirmed philosophical maniacs! The essence of matter has nothing to do with the explanation of its properties. Whether it is received as an extension of the substance of Deity-as something brought into existence out of nothing by creative Vol. I.-38 perienced during sleep, by which the bite of a flea may be augmented into a thrust with a sword, as was the case with Des Cartes. An individual having a blister upon his head, dreamed that the savages had removed his scalp. But dreams usually arise from the memory calling up past events, or some topic that had previously occupied the mind; or they may originate from some strong leading characteristic of the dreamer, representing a consummation of his particular desires. It is, however, sometimes the case that entirely new ideas spring up, such as had not previously occupied the mind, and seldom, if ever obtrude themselves again. Constitutional peculiarities must necessarily produce in longer recognized-familiar bodies become strange some individuals more frequent and vivid somnolent reveries than others; and observation abundantly proves that these nocturnal hallucinations are as susceptible of cultivation as any other intellectual process; that is, by giving them great attention, and frequent rehearsal, a dreaming propensity may be established. frights. When no longer able to brave such a formidable and unearthly array, the affrighted individual precipitately flies and reports the story, which rapidly travels from point to point, losing nothing by any of the narrators, until the entire neighborhood becomes astounded with the terrible phantom. quent upon the reaction of various chemical agents producing new compounds and new substances, are often mistaken by the superstitious for miraculous visitations. 3. Morbid sight gives rise to some of the most ex The fact that each individual places his own con- 2. Meteoric bodies, spontaneous combustion of inflamstruction upon these incoherent phenomena, there be-mable gasses, and other luminous appearances, conseing no settled rule of interpretation, should convince the most inveterate dreamer in Christendom, that, to say the least, the present system is exceedingly unprofitable, and calculated to promote, if at all, in a very imperfect manner the object for which dreams are sup-traordinary deceptions that are connected with the posed to have been established. At one time they are senses, or intellectual operations. divined by "the rule of contrary," or the event in real life, of which the dream is supposed to be typical, is directly opposite in character to the dream itself, and consequently a reversal of the order of events offers a true solution. Others again receive them literally, or nearly so, expecting dreams of an unpleasant character to be followed by equally disagreeable events in real life. But the most unequivocal evidence of the accidental origin of dreams is exhibited in the fact that a very small number are ever found to correspond in any degree to after events, and those few instances are wholly adventitious. Here is a palpable want of adaptation of means to the end, if Deity designed dreams as media of communication to man, to apprise him of coming So few are found to sustain such relation, that we could not possibly determine which to rely on; consequently, the false and true would equally demand attention; and of a given number, perhaps not one would ever be realized. It cannot be presumed, therefore, that an all-wise Creator would establish so uncertain and imperfect means for the purpose of warning man of harm, or apprising him of good. events. The eye, as is well known, is made up of several distinct parts, each possessing a refractive power, which is capable of so changing and directing the rays of light as to bring them to a point on the expanded and sensitive optic nerve; then producing a perfect image of the object before us. Now it can be readily understood, that the slightest change in the natural relations of these various parts, functional or organic, must produce imperfect vision; and it will be equally obvious, that these changes may occur at particular periods and under peculiar circumstances, unattended with appreciable physical change, which may result in aberration of vision, and objects falsely perceived are supposed to be real and perhaps supernatural. The eye, however, may remain perfectly natural, while imperfect vision and false perceptions may arise from deficiency of light. This apparently simple cause is the origin of many apparitions. When an apartment is imperfectly lighted, the various objects not being plainly depicted, the pupil or sight of the eye, by a provision of nature, dilates to a very extraordinary size, in order to collect a large amount of light; and as The subject of apparitions or supernatural appear-a necessary result the rays admitted are diffuse and ances embraces many gross errors, always productive | irregular, and must necessarily present bodies in an of more harm than good; and so universally does this equally defective form; and the fact that only the most sentiment pervade society, that many may be found luminous part of the object will be seen, very satisfacin all classes ready to lend a credulous ear to the mar-torily accounts for their changing, dilating, and sudden velous and inexplicable stories of the ghost-mongers! disappearance while under examination. It is usually A grave-yard, a gallows, a place where murder has remarked that spectres appear in white, which probably been committed, haunted houses, are all carefully avoid- arises from the fact, that bright objects alone can be ed, particularly of a dark night, when ghosts are pre-seen under circumstances favoring such a construction. sumed to be engaged in their nocturnal perambulations. The misconceptions on this subject are traceable to three sources. 1. To an imperfect examination of the supposed spectre in consequence of alarm. 2. Mistaking various natural phenomena for supernatural visitations. 3. Peculiar conditions of the eye or general system, giving rise to false vision and erroneous per-white cloud, and the white horse shone with particular ceptions. 1. Persons of a superstitious cast of mind are under frequent apprehensions of receiving calls from their spectral circle, and, under favorable circumstances, aided by fertile imaginations, will readily transform the most common body into a hideous monster. Alarm at once supersedes judgment-objects daily met are no Sir David Brewster relates the following incident: "A figure dressed in black, and mounted on a white horse, was riding along, exposed to the bright rays of the sun, which, through a small opening in the cloud, was throwing its bright light only on that part of the landscape. The black figure was projected against the brilliancy by its contrast with the dark soil against which it was seen. A person interested in the arrival of such a stranger, had been for sometime following his movements with intense anxiety, but upon his disappearance behind a wood, was surprised to find the spectre of the mounted stranger in the form of a white rider on a black steed." |