38 Influence of Music on the Common Mouse, 



He had scarcely performed ten minutes, when a 

 mouse, apparently frantic, made its appearance, in 

 the centre of the floor, near the large table which 

 usually stands in the wardroom, the residence of the 

 lieutenants in ships of the line. The strange gestures 

 of the little animal strongly excited the attention of 

 the officers, who, with one consent, resolved to suffer 

 it to continue its singular actions unmolested. Its 

 exertions now appeared to be greater, every moment. 

 It shook its head, leaped about the table, and exhibit, 

 ed signs of the most extatic delight. 



It was observed, that in proportion to the grada- 

 tion of the tones to the soft point, the extacy of the 

 animal appeared to be increased, and vice versa. Af- 

 ter performing actions, which an animal so diminu- 

 tive would, at first sight, seem incapable of, the little 

 creature, to the astonishment of the delighted specta- 

 tors, suddenly ceased to move ; fell down, and ex- 

 pired, without evincing any symptoms of pain. 



Facts somewhat similar to the preceding, but not 

 (that I know) so circumstantial, are recorded by dif- 

 ferent authors. Linnaeus notices the circumstance in 

 two words. Speaking of the Common Mouse (Mus 

 Musculus), he says " delectatur Musica." — Systema 

 Nature, &c. Tom. I. p. 83. No. 13. Gmelin, in 

 his edition of the System, omits tins part of the Lin- 

 nasan history of the animal. 



Editor. 



