100 



<Emurg of Natural ^f 



differing, like those of horses, in strength, 

 size, swiftness, and elegance of form. A 

 breed of peculiar swiftness is said to be reared 

 in China ; a white variety occurs in some 

 parts of Siberia ; and a hybrid or mixed 

 breed is occasionally obtained between the 

 Bactrian and Arabian Camel. 



CAMELOPARD and CAMELEOPAR- 

 DALIS. [See GIRAFFE.] 



CAMELUS. [See CAMEL.] 



CAMPAGNOL. A French name some- 

 times given to the small Rodent animals 

 called roles. [See VOLE.] 



CAMPANULARIA : CAMPANTJLA- 

 RIAD^E. A genus and family of Zoo- 

 phytes. This division, which contains two 

 or three genera, included by Linnseus in his 

 genus ScrtuJaria, is thus characterized in 

 the truly elegant and scientific work of Dr. 

 Johnston, entitled a History of the British 

 Zoophytes a work indispensable to persons 

 who wish to study those flowers of the ocean, 

 the zoophytes, so abundant on our coasts 

 " Polypedom plant) ike, horny, rooted by a 

 creeping tubular fibre, branched, or simple ; 

 the polype cells thin and campanulate, 



terminal, elevated on a ringed footstalk, 

 disposed either alternately or irregular." For 

 the other characters of the family and differ- 

 ent genera, Campanularia, Laomedea, and 

 Cymodocea, we must refer to the above work, 

 only alluding to a very beautiful British 

 species, flrst described by Mr. Ellis as the 

 small climbing Coralline with bell-shaped 

 cups. This minute species is parasitical on 

 other corallines and sea-weeds, and forms a 

 beautiful object for the microscope. Dr. 

 Johnston has seen the antenna of a crab so 

 profusely invested with this zoophyte as to 

 resemble hairy brushes ; the coralline in 

 this instance having chosen a station by 

 which it obtained all the benefits of locomo- 

 tion. 



CANARY-BIRD (Carduclis canaria.) 

 The Canary-bird, or Canary-finch, as it is 

 sometimes called, is a well-known captive 

 songster in this and most other European 

 countries. It is a native of the Canary 

 Islands, but it has continued so long in a 

 domestic state that its native habits seem 

 almost forgotten. In the wild state the pre- 



vailing colour is grey or brown, mingled, 

 however, with other colours, but never reach- 

 ing the brilliancy of plumage exhibited by 

 the bird in captivity. Dr. lleineken, who 

 describes its character and habits in Madeira, 

 where these birds abound, says, "it builds 

 in thick, bushy, high shrubs and trees, with 

 roots, moss, feathers, hair, &c. ; pairs in 

 February ; lays from four to six pale blue 

 eggs ; and hatches five, and often six times 

 in the season. It is a delightful songster, 

 with, beyond doubt, much of the nightin- 

 gale's and skylark's, but none of the wood- 

 lark's song." It was brought into Europe 

 early in the 16th century, and is believed to 

 have spread from the coast of Italy, where 

 a vessel, which was bringing to Leghorn a 

 number of these birds besides its merchan- 

 dize, was wrecked. The climate being fa- 

 vourable, they increased, and would cer- 

 tainly have become naturalized, had they 

 not been rendered scarce by the desire to 

 possess them, as well as from there being 

 few besides male birds brought over. 



In their native islands, a region equally 

 celebrated for the beauty of its landscapes 

 and the harmony of its groves, the Canary- 

 birds are of a dusky-grey colour, and so very 

 different from those usually seen in Europe, 

 that some naturalists have even doubted 

 whether they are of the same species. The 

 original stock has undergone so many 

 changes from its being domesticated, from 

 the climate, and from the union with birds 

 analogous to it, that now we have Canaries 

 of all colours. " Those Canaries that have 

 the upper part of the body of a dusky green 

 or linnet-brown, and the under part the 

 yellowish green of the green-bird, with dark- 

 brow n eyes, are the strongest, and most 

 nearly resemble the primitive race. The 

 yellow and white often have red e3 r es, and 

 are the most tender. The chestnut are the 

 most uncommon, and hold a middle rank 

 for strength and length of life between the 

 two extremes. But as the plumage of the 

 intermediate ones is a mixture of these prin- 

 cipal colours, their value depends on the 

 pretty and regular manner in which they 

 are marked. The Canary that is most ad- 

 mired amongst us now is one with the body 

 white or yellow ; the head, particularly if 

 crested, wings, and tail, yellowish dun. The 

 second in degree is of a golden yellow, with 

 the head, wings, and tail black, or at least 

 dusky grey. Next follow the grey or black- 

 ish, with a yellow head and collar ; and the 

 yellow with a blackish or green tuft ; both of 

 which are very much valued. As for those 

 that are irregularly spotted, speckled, or va- 

 riegated, they are much less sought after, and 

 are used to pair with those of one colour, 

 white, yellow, grey, brown-grey, and the 

 like." 



In choosing Canary-birds, those are pre- 

 ferable which appear bold and lively. If 

 their eyes look cheerful and bright, it is a 

 sign of health ; but, on the contrary, if they 

 hide their heads under their wings, and 

 gather up their bodies, it is symptomatic of 

 their being disordered. The melody of the 

 song should also be regarded in making a se- 

 lection ; for some will open with the notes of 



