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ever fountains poured out water, or trees afforded 

 shade, science was still only subservient to the 

 exigencies of nature, and natural history cultivated 

 to discover and commemorate the useful qualities of 

 animals. Some were edible, as sheep, goats, and 

 many horned cattle. Others useful for guards, as 

 the dog, who protected the folds; or the ichneumon 

 and cat, the destroyers of rats and mice, whose 

 troublesome insults engaged men in the pursuit of 

 a more perfect acquaintance with their habits, together 

 with those of numerous other tribes of noisome 

 animals and insects, who invaded the dwellings of 

 man, and interrupted his enjoyment. Many animals 

 were monitors, who, by their appearance, announced 

 the impending changes of the seasons. Thus the 

 unexpected alterations of the weather were predicted 

 by many birds and insects : and the garrulity of 

 the crow and the thrush ; the clamorous squalling 

 of peacocks, and the frequent immersions of water 

 fowl ; indicated rain, and warned the shepherd and 

 agriculturalist to prepare for bad weather. Nor 

 were the periodical returns of the seasons less 

 marked by many birds. Such was the crane flying 

 the wintry tempests to gain more tranquil regions. 

 Such was the turtle and the stork, the cuckoo and 

 the nightingale ; and the swallow, who returning, 



