OF THE DOLPHIN. 79 



We have thought it unnecessary to bring the fa- 

 bulous history of the dolphin down to a later period 

 than that of Pliny, as all the subsequent stories 

 appear to be variations of the same. It is impos- 

 sible, however, not to feel sorry that some modern 

 works of great authority and usefulness, continue to 

 interweave so much of what is barely possible, with 

 the little that is attested in regard to this and other 

 animals, as to give an air of fable to the whole. 

 The following from the " Nouveau Dictionnaire 

 d'Histoire Naturelle," may serve as an instance. 



" The dolphins form among themselves a sort of 

 society; they defend those of the troop that may be 

 attacked, and utter frightful cries, in order to induce 

 the aggressors to release them. The little dolphins 

 are placed in the middle of the troop; the large and 

 most robust at its head: they all preserve their or- 

 der like a battalion of soldiers; they swim each in 

 their ranks; the females compose the rear guard, 

 and urge on the stragglers."* 



This is not the only passage of the kind, that 

 might be selected from the article on the dolphin, 

 in the same work. If the time shall ever arrive, 

 when the facts of natural history are given, without 

 admixture witli fable, the world will be more rapid- 

 ly and satisfactorily advanced in improvement than 

 can possibly be hoped for, so long as imagination 



Virey op. citato. 



