184 JURA. NATURAL HISTORY. 



Pennant's authority is generally quoted; although on 

 referring to that naturalist, it may be seen that he 

 only gives it as a current report. This animal is, on 

 the contrary, rare, as it is elsewhere throughout the 

 islands ; and on conversing with the natives, though 

 every one quoted the general belief, no one was ready 

 with the instance. This indeed is one of the popular 

 beliefs which, like that in witchcraft, continues to be 

 circulated, and for nearly the same reasons, long after 

 it has been disproved. Since Mr. Pennant's name must 

 necessarily give weight to any statements connected 

 with natural history, it is proper also to notice in this 

 place a tale which he relates as it was related to him, 

 respecting another animal the existence of which is 

 visionary, but in which he, as well as Dr. Walker, appears 

 to have believed. 



This is the fillan, a worm which is said, like the 

 Guinea worm, to insinuate itself under the skin, so as 

 to cause tumors and abscesses. The belief in this 

 animal is not limited to Jura; it exists in other parts 

 of the Highlands. On investigation, this pretended 

 origin of those diseases will be found purely imaginary, 

 and, like many other of the supposed causes of Highland 

 ailments, to be founded on traditionary tales. Super- 

 natural or extraordinary causes of disease are, in the 

 infant state of society, not limited to witchcraft alone. 

 These notions are however fast hastening to oblivion, 

 and, with them, superstitious and fantastical methods 

 of cure are also disappearing. The increase of rational 

 knowledge, and of a portion of common-place philosophy, 

 which, however insensibly, is still slowly and regularly 

 diffusing itself throughout the people, will shortly dismiss 

 the fillan, together with many similar creeds, to the general 

 repository of forgotten systems.* 



Of the few equally imaginary specimens of natural 



* There is a considerable resemblance between this belief and that in 

 the Furia infernalis; the effects of which, even if its existence be admit- 

 ted, must be greatly exaggerated. 



