CLASS II. -BIRDS. 135 



phin bears a striking similitude to the porpoise, excepting 

 that the snout is longer and more pointed. All have dorsal 

 fins, very large heads, and perfectly agree in their appetites, 

 their manners, and conformations, being equally voracious, 

 active, and roving. 



These animals possess so much agility that they are not 

 taken without difficulty. They seldom remain a moment 

 above water ; but pure ue the shoals of herrings, and other 

 gregarious fishes, with unwearied vigilance. They are 

 frequently seen gamboling in the deep ; but whether this 

 arises from pleasure or terror is not clearly ascertained. 

 The fishermen consider the capture of one as no mean 

 prize, on account of the oil ; and the flesh, particularly if 

 the animal be young, is said to resemble veal, and to be 

 equally good. Like the whale, they seldom bring forth 

 more than one at a time. They live to a considerable age, 

 and sleep with their snout above water. 



From the earliest times, historians and philosophers 

 have contended in inventing the greatest number of fables 

 concerning these animals. The dolphin, in particular, was 

 celebrated among the Greeks and Romans for its attach- 

 ment to the human race ; and scarcely an accident could 

 take place at sea without this creature being said to offer 

 itself to convey the unfortunate mariner on shore. In 

 short, it might be amusing enough, though little instruc- 

 tive, to read all the legends respecting them. Falsity seems, 

 in every instance, to have prevailed in what related to 

 them : even painters, from the arched form in which they 

 generally appear above water, have invariably drawn the 

 dolphin as crooked and deformed, though, in fact, it is 

 sufficiently straight. 



CLASS II. BIRDS. 



BIRDS constitute the second grand division of animated 

 nature. Though inferior to quadrupeds in strength, saga- 



