30 FATHERS OF BIOLOGY. 



The eighth book contains a variety of details respect- 

 ing animals, their food, migrations, hibernation, and 

 diseases ; with the influence of climate and locality upon 

 them. 



The ninth book describes the habits and instincts of 

 animals. The details are interesting; but there is, as 

 usual, very little attempt at classification. Disjointed 

 statements and sudden digressions occur, the subjects 

 being treated in the order in which they presented them- 

 selves to the author. Such curious statements as the. 

 following are met with : " The raven is an enemy to the 

 bull and the ass, for it flies round them and strikes their 

 eyes." " If a person takes a goat by the beard, all the 

 rest of the herd stand by, as if infatuated, and look at 

 it." " Female stags are captured by the sound of the 

 pipe and by singing. When two persons go out to 

 capture them, one shows himself, and either plays upon 

 a pipe or sings, and the other strikes behind, when the 

 first gives him the signal." " Swans have the power of 

 song, especially when near the end of their life ; for they 

 then fly out to sea, and some persons sailing near the 

 coast of Libya have met many of them in the sea singing 

 a mournful song, and have afterwards seen some of 

 them die." " Of all wild animals, the elephant is the 

 most tame and gentle ; for many of them are capable of 

 instruction and intelligence, and they have been taught 

 to worship the king." 



