ANIMAL MESSMATES. 3 



wliicli we keep in cages, charm the ear with their song, 

 or which, in spite of our care, live at the expense of our 

 pantry; we will only refer to veritable messmates, which, 

 sometimes through weakness of constitution, sometimes 

 for want of activity, can neither feed themselves nor 

 bring up their family without seeking help from their 

 neighbom'S. 



There are some free messmates which never renounce 

 their independence, whatever may be the advantages 

 which their Amphitryon enjoys; they break their alliance 

 with him for the slightest motive of discontent, and go 

 and seek their fortune elsewhere. Their susceptibility 

 or their love of change guides them. They are recog- 

 nized by their fishing implements or their travelling 

 gear, which they never lay aside. These free messmates 

 are the more numerous. The others, the fixed mess- 

 mates, instal themselves with a neighbour, and live at 

 their ease, having completely changed their dress, and 

 renounced for ever an independent life. Their fate is 

 thenceforward bound to him who carries them. 



Under these two categories we shall cite several ex- 

 amples, and glance at the differences which the various 

 classes of the animal kingdom present in this respect, 

 beginning with the higher ranks. 



