THE SWAN. 



167 



THE SWAN 



IT is extremely uncertain what bird is intended by the Hebrew, 

 in (Lev. xi. 18), rendered by our translators, the swan. The same 

 word is used in a subsequent verse to denote the mole, according to 

 our version, but more probably, as Bochart has shown, the chame- 

 leon. The root from which the word is derived, signifies to breathe, 

 respire, &c.; and Geddes remarks, that if etymology were to be our 

 guide, it would seem to point to a well-known quality in the swan, 

 that of being able to respire a long time, with its bill and neck en- 

 tirely under water, and even plunged n the mud. 



