STUDY XI. 2Jj7 



damages fuftained. Pliny alleges, that this gave 

 rife to the pretended animofity between the linnet 

 and the afs. This quadruped, whofe palate is 

 proof againft thorns, frequently browfes on the 

 ihrub in which the linnet builds her neft. She is 

 fo terrified at his voice, that on hearing it, fays, 

 he, fhe Hicks down her eggs; and her callow 

 brood die with terror of it. But fhe makes war 

 upon him, in her turn, by fixing her attack on 

 the fcratches made in his hide by the prickles, 

 and picking the flefh, in thofe tender parts, to the 

 very bone. It muft be a very amuiing fpectacle 

 to view the combat between the little and melo- 

 dious fongfter, and the dull, braying, but other» 

 wife inoffenfive, animal. 



Did we know the animal relations of plants, we 

 fhould poffcfs fources of intelligence refpecting 

 the inftincts of the brute creation, with which we 

 are totally unacquainted. We mould know the 

 origin of their friendfhips, and of their animofities, 

 at leaft as to thofe which are formed in fociety ; 

 for with regard to fucli as are innate, 1 do not be- 

 lieve that the caufe of them was ever revealed to 

 any man. Thefe are of a different order, and be- 

 long to another world. How fhould fo many ani- 

 mals have entered into life, under the dominion of 

 hatred, without having been offended ; furnifhed 

 with /kill and induftry, without having ferved an 

 t 3 apprentice- 



