50 A HISTORY OF 



The Struthophagi have another method of taking this bird ; they 

 cover themselves with an ostrich's skin, and passing up an arm through 

 the neck, thus counterfeit all the motions of this animal. By this ar- 

 tifice they approach the ostrich, which becomes an easy prey. He is 

 sometimes also taken by dogs and nets : but the most usual way is that 

 mentioned above. 



When the Arabians have thus taken an ostrich, they cut its throat, 

 and making a ligature below the opening, they shake the bird, as one 

 would rinse a barrel ; then taking off the ligature, there runs out from 

 the wound in the throat, a considerable quantity of blood, mixed with 

 ihe fat of the animal ; and this is considered as one of their greatest 

 dainties. They next flay the bird ; and of the skin, which is strong 

 and thick, sometimes make a kind of vest, which answers the purposes 

 of a cuirass and a buckler. 



There are others who, more compassionate or more provident, do 

 not kill their captive, but endeavour to tame it, for the purposes of 

 supplying those feathers which are in so great request. The inhabi- 

 tants of Dara and Lybia breed up whole flocks of them, and they are 

 tamed with very little trouble. But it is not for their feathers alone 

 that they are prized in this domestic state ; they are often ridden up- 

 on, and used like horses. Moore assures us, that at Joar he saw a 

 man travelling upon an ostrich ; and Adanson asserts, that at the fac- 

 tory of Podore, he had two ostriches, which were then young, the 

 strongest of which ran swifter than the best English racer, although 

 he carried two negroes on his back. As soon as the animal perceived 

 that it was loaded, it set off running with all its force, and made seve- 

 ral circuits round the village, till at length the people were obliged to 

 stop it, by barring up the way. How far this strength and swiftness 

 may be useful to mankind, even in a polished state, is a matter that 

 perhaps deserves inquiry. Posterity may avail themselves of this 

 creature's abilities ; and riding upon an ostrich may one day become 

 the favourite, as it most certainly is the swiftest mode of conveyance. 



The parts of this animal are said to be convertible to many salutary 

 purposes in medicine. The fat is said to be emollient and relaxing ; 

 that while it relaxes the tendons, it fortifies the nervous system ; and 

 being applied to the region of the loins, it abates the pains of the stone 

 in the kidneys. The shell of the egg powdered, and given in proper 

 quantities, is said to be useful in promoting urine, and dissolving the 

 stone in the bladder. The substance of the egg itself is thought to be 

 peculiarly nourishing: however, Galen, in mentioning this, asserts, 

 that the eggs of hens and pheasants are good to be eaten, those of 

 geese and ostriches are worst of all. 



