92 GEMS FROM THE GERMAN OF RICHTER. 



these and other marine birds by the use of the gun, I was compelled to 

 resort to the common, though more cruel mode of taking them — baiting 

 a liook and hauling them in by a line like fish. The Cape Pigeon (Pro- 

 cellaria Capensis) and many other of the small sea birds are very read- 

 ily secured in this way ; but with the large Albatross the case is widely 

 difierent. When hooked in the bill it resists with all its might, spread- 

 ing its long and powerful wings over the surface of the sea, and catch- 

 ing every wave as it is drawn towards the ship. Sometimes the hook 

 is torn out, and then, the evident suffering endured by the poor bird is 

 so painful to behold, that even the callous and unsympathizing naturalist 

 is ready to desist. 



It is a curious fact, that neither the Albatross, nor any other of the 

 large sea birds, is capable of rising from the deck of a ship when once 

 landed upon it. They require a yielding surface, such as the element 

 upon vvhich they live, to enable them to commence their flight. 



The little "Mother Carey's Chicken," or " Stormy Petrel," as it is 

 often called, (Thalassidroma Wilsonii,) is, I believe, never seen to alight 

 upon the water. It picks up its food, — which consists chiefly of small 

 sea-nettles, and any fatty matter, floating upon the sea, — while on wing, 

 pattering constantly, with its little delicate feet upon the surface. From 

 this well known habit, it originally acquired its name, — Petrel, — from 

 its walking upon the water, like Peter attempted to do, when he would 

 have met his Divine Master upon the sea of Galilee. 



In my next number, 1 shall give some account of my residence of 

 tlircc months at the Sandwich Islands, with anecdotes illustrating South 

 Sea lift' amongst natives and foreigners. 



J. iv. T. 

 Philadelphia, January 12, 1817. 



GEMS FROM THE GERMAN OF RICHTER. 



God is light, which, itself invisible, makes all things visilile, and 

 gives to every thing its color. Thine eye perceives not the ray, but thy 

 heart feels its warmth. 



Who can perceive the infinitely small ? Only one, the infinitely 

 great. 



Unless we remain quiet when stung by a bee or by fortune, the sting 

 will break ofl" and remain behind. 



Vice is the ballast of the earth, and vvill at its time be cast out and 

 sunk. 



