414 THE DOMESTIC GOOSE. 



of the chiefs, by supposing that they were a distinct race ; but 

 in this we think he was incorrect. It may, perhaps, be at- 

 tributed in part to their progenitors, who were probably raised 

 to the chieftainship on account of their physical superiority, 

 or of some achievements which resulted from it; partly to 

 their mothers, who were generally selected by the chiefs for 

 their form and stature ; and partly to their treatment during 

 the years of childhood and youth. As soon as the son of a 

 chief was born, two or three of the finest and most healthy 

 women were selected to nurse it; and while performing this 

 office, which they frequently did for three years, they were 

 provided with abundance of the best food. A child of Tino- 

 mana, of Rarotonga, had four nurses, and he was a little 

 monster. With this commencement, their subsequent train- 

 ing corresponded. I think these causes sufficient to account 

 for the superiority of the chiefs, many of whom are certainly 

 splendid specimens of human nature/' We think similar 

 causes sufficient to account for the superior size of the Toulouse 

 Geese, which really do look like common Geese as they would 

 appear if seen through the long-focused magnifying glass of a 

 raree-show. 



The following will be pronounced a mere case of malforma- 

 tion, not the springing up of a new variety 



" I have noticed that in a flock of Geese here, from which 

 many Goslings are reared every season, there is always one 

 bird, and sometimes two, with the two farthest joints of one 

 wing growing as if they had been twisted round, out of their 

 proper position. None of the old Geese have this peculiarity, 

 nor, as far as I can ascertain, does it arise either from ill-treat- 

 ment or the forcing themselves through narrow places. It 

 seems rather to be a natural lusus of the wing joint, and one 

 would think must effectually prevent their flying." H. H. 



The value and usefulness of Geese is scarcely calculable. 

 We omit what is owing to them, as having furnished the most 



