190 THE CASSOWARY. 



any other animal ; and, when assaulted, depends more 

 upon its fleetness than strength ; its method of running 

 is very peculiar, as it seems to kick up behind with 

 one leg, whilst with the other it makes a bound, and 

 is generally able to outstrip pursuit. The appetite is 

 equal to that of the ostrich ; and it will swallow glass, 

 iron, and very large stones : and some have asserted 

 that it will eat burning coals without appearing to suffer 

 either injury or pain. The cassowary's eggs are be- 

 tween an ash and green colour, measure fifteen inches 

 one way, and about twelve the other. 



THE DODO. 



The dodo is a native of the Isle of France, unwieldly 

 in form, and deficient in strength : its body is massive, 

 and almost round ; and two thick clumsy pillars seem 

 to supply the place of legs. What the sloth appears 

 amongst animals, the dodo is with birds, a stupid, 

 heavy, inanimate creature, scarcely endowed with suf- 

 ficient vigour and activity to perform the common 

 functions of life, and equally incapable of flight or de- 

 fence. The neck is large, thick, and pursy, and at- 

 tached to a head of most uncouth make ; the opening 

 of the jaws extends beyond the eyes, so that when 

 the creature gapes, it seems going to swallow all with- 

 in its reach: the bill resembles two pointed spoons, 

 that are laid together by the back; it is extremely 

 long, and bordered with feathers, which gives it the 

 appearance of a hood or cowl : in short, the whole 

 figure presents a picture of deformity, at once dis- 

 pleasing and disgusting to the sight. 



