50 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OP ANIMALS. CHAP. II. 



receive the rays of light from all quarters. The fox is 

 enabled, by its scent, to know its prey at the distance 

 of two or sometimes three hundred paces ; and daily 

 proofs are afforded that the dog has the same power ; 

 since he will not only discover game at considerable 

 distances, but has been known to track his master's 

 footsteps through a populous city, or to follow the 

 course of unknown feet for miles. 



(63.) The horse, the most noble of our domestic 

 animals, has each of the senses in great perfection ; 

 and, like the owl and the cat, can distinguish objects 

 in the dark. In opposition to which may be placed 

 the porcupine, whose organs, with the exception of 

 that of smell, seem singularly obtuse. 



(64.) The senses of the common mole are exactly 

 adapted to its wants ; and the nice balance preserved 

 between the wants and the senses of animals is in 

 no creature more remarkable. Being destined to re- 

 main always under ground, it has little occasion for 

 sight, and we therefore find that its powers of vision 

 are very limited ; its eyes are not only enveloped in 

 fur, but furnished with a muscle which enables the 

 animal to withdraw or to employ them as circum- 

 stances may prompt ; while it is amply provided with 

 the means of scent and hearing, which, in its peculiar 

 situation, are of far more importance than sight. It 

 has been stated that the Mus Typhus, or blind rat, 

 found in the southern parts of Russia, is absolutely 

 deprived of sight, having only two small rudiments 

 of eyes situated under the skin, and scarcely dis- 

 cernible.* 



(65.) The scent of the rhinoceros is so remarkably 

 keen, that they know, even at a distance, whether any 

 man is coming towards them ; and, on the first suspicion 

 of such an enemy, they betake themselves to flight. 

 It is only by approaching them against the wind, or 

 to leeward, that the hunter can expect to get within 

 musket shot : in doing this, he must move cautiously 



* Shaw's Zoological Lcct. i. p. 105. 



