72 FABULOUS HISTORY 



Fabulous History of the Dotyliin. 



Few animals have occupied a more distinguished 

 place in the writings of historians and poets, than 

 the dolphin, whose actual habits and manners we 

 have just examined. From Herodotus, the father 

 of Greek historians, down to a comparatively recent 

 period, we find a succession of wonderful incidents 

 related, originating either from the most inaccurate 

 observation of fact, or from the wildest extravagance 

 of fancy. 



It will be an am using, and we hope not an unin- 

 structive lesson, to trace some of the most remarka- 

 ble of these stories, both to show how far the human 

 mind may permit itself to be misled, and to set at 

 rest, by exposing their futility, such recitals as the 

 beauty and excellence of poetry tend to perpetuate 

 as probable or true. Investigations of this kind may 

 in some degree lessen the pleasure derived from 

 works of fiction, but the advantage of being pos- 

 sessed of the truth, far outweighs the temporary 

 gratification arising from an indulged imagination. 



The most ancient of the accounts given of the do- 

 cility and friendly disposition of the dolphin, is that 

 related of Arion, by Herodotus in his first book. 

 As this may be considered the source from which 

 most of the others have sprung, we subjoin a free 

 translation from the venerable historian. 



