Mr. flennie on the Cleanliness of Animals. 23 



perhaps, that, besides the herons (Ardetf), no other birds are 

 similarly provided for attacking those troublesome insects (Ho- 

 maloptera, MACLEAY, Nirmida, LEACH, &c.), which often 

 seriously injure the vigour and health of the animal infested, 

 and sometimes even occasion death. On going to visit the 

 ruins of Brougham Castle, in Cumberland, I was struck by the 

 unusual tameness of a swallow (Hirundo rustica), which I 

 found sitting on the parapet wall of the bridge which crosses 

 the Emont, on the road from Penrith. Swallows are, indeed, 

 far from being generally shy, trusting, perhaps, to their rapi- 

 dity of flight should danger threaten ; but this poor swallow 

 allowed itself to be approached, without offering to escape. It 

 seemed, in fact, instinctively courting human aid, at least I was 

 inclined so to interpret its pitiful looks. On taking hold of it, 

 I found the feathers swarming with an insect (Craterina Hi- 

 rundinisy OLFERS) somewhat larger in size than the common 

 house-bug (Cimex lectularius). I took the poor bird imme- 

 diately to the river ; and, on being freed from its tormentors, 

 it flew off joyfully to join its companions. Had it been fur- 

 nished with a comb, like the night-jars, it would not probably 

 have needed my assistance. 



It may not fall in the way of many of the readers of this 

 paper to make personal observations on the foot-comb of the 

 night-jar; but similar instruments, of still more ingenious con- 

 struction, may be inspected, by whoever will take the trouble, 

 in two of our most common animals the cat and the house-fly 1 

 (Musca domestica), both of which may very frequently be seen 

 cleaning themselves with the utmost care. The chief instru- 

 ment employed by the cat is her tongue ; but when she wishes 

 to trim the parts of her fur which she cannot reach with this, 

 she moistens, with saliva, the soft spongy cushions of her feet, 

 and therewith brushes her head, ears, and face, occasionally 

 extending one or more of her claws to comb straight any matted 

 hair that the foot-cushion cannot bring smooth, in the same 

 way as she uses her long tusks in the parts within their reach. 



The chief and most efficient cleaning instrument of the cat, 

 however, is her tongue, which is constructed somewhat after 

 the manner of a currycomb, or rather of a wool-card, being 

 beset with numerous horny points, bent downwards and back- 



