The Natural History of Se I borne 265 



by society. It would be needless to instance in sheep, which 

 constantly flock together. 1 



But this propensity seems not to be confined to animals 

 of the same species ; for we know a doe, still alive, that was 

 brought up from a little fawn with a dairy of cows ; with 

 them it goes a-field, and with them it returns to the yard. 

 The dogs of the house take no notice of this deer, being used 

 to her ; but, if strange dogs come by, a chase ensues ; while 

 the master smiles to see his favourite securely leading her 

 pursuers over hedge, or gate, or stile, till she returns to the 

 cows, who, with fierce lowings and menacing horns, drive the 

 assailants quite out of the pasture. 



Even great disparity of kind and size does not always prevent 

 intelligent social advances and mutual fellowship. For a very 

 and observant person has assured me that, in the former part 

 of his life, keeping but one horse, he happened also on a time 

 to have but one solitary hen. These two incongruous animals 

 spent much of their time together in a lonely orchard, where 

 they saw no creature but each other. By degrees an apparent 

 regard began to take place between these two sequestered 

 individuals. The fowl would approach the quadruped with 

 notes of complacency, rubbing herself gently against his legs : 

 while the horse would look down with satisfaction, and move 

 with the greatest caution and circumspection, lest he should 

 trample on his diminutive companion. Thus, by mutual good 

 offices, each seemed to console the vacant hours of the other : 

 so that Milton, when he puts the following sentiment into the 

 mouth of Adam, seems to be somewhat mistaken : 



" Mitch less can bird 'with beast, or fish with fowl, 

 So well converse, nor with the ox the ape" 



I am, &c. 



1 All these animals are clearly the descendants of wild gregarious an- 

 cestors, in whom the need for sympathy and society has become organic. 

 Social animals pine in solitude : solitary animals, on the contrary, dislike 

 house-mates. ED, 



