] 64 SALMONIA. 



the eggs of the alligator, and heard a sub- 

 terraneous sound : his curiosity was excited, 

 and he was induced to search beneath the sur- 

 face of the sand : besides two or three young 

 animals lately come from the shell, he found 

 several eofgs which were still entire : he broke 

 the shell of one of them, when a young alli- 

 gator came forth, apparently perfect in all its 

 functions and motions ; and when my friend 

 touched it with a stick, it assumed a threatening 

 aspect, and bit the stick with violence. It made 

 towards the water, which (though born by 

 the influence of the sunbeams on the burning 

 sand) it seemed to know was its natural and 

 hereditary domain. Here is an animal which, 

 deserted by its parents, and entirely submitted 

 to the mercy of nature and the elements, must 

 die if it had to acquire its knowledge ; but all 

 its powers are given, all its wants supplied; and 

 even its means of offence and defence implanted 

 by strong and perfect instincts. I will mention 

 one fact more. Swallows, quails, and many 

 other birds, migrate in large flocks when their 

 usual food becomes scarce ; and in these cases 

 it may be said (I anticipate a remark of Phy- 



