64 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. III. 



(81.) Among those classes of animals which ap- 

 proach nearest to the vegetable creation,, we can, of 

 course, detect few indications of feeling of any kind ; 

 and the most inferior tribes we must therefore pass 

 over. In the Cephalopoda, or cuttlefish, it has been 

 remarked, that the male not only is always seen by the 

 'side of the female, but, when attacked, it displays an 

 obstinate gallantry in her defence, worthy of the days of 

 Don Quixote, and frequently insurmountable, excepting 

 by his own destruction.* 



(82.) Among reptiles, one species of the tortoise, 

 the Testudo caretta, is exceedingly bold and fierce, 

 attacking its adversaries with its feet and strong jaws 

 with the utmost vigour. The crocodile, though very 

 voracious, does not appear to be an untameable animal, 

 instances having been quoted of its becoming tame, and 

 in some degree gentle to its keeper. The male of the 

 common Iguana is stated to exhibit a warm attachment 

 towards the female, whom he will though usually of a 

 gentle disposition defend with the most obstinate fury. 

 The nimble and the green lizards are both peculiarly 

 gentle in their dispositions ; and the green lizard of 

 Carolina, we are told, " has every quality that can de- 

 light the eye, or interest the beholder in its favour," 

 being at once beautiful, active, useful, patient, and 

 industrious. Most of the venomous serpents parti- 

 cularly the Cobra di Capello, or hooded snake are ex. 

 tremely irritable and revengeful : but others, like the 

 boa tribe, and most of the innoxious genera, are at 

 once courageous and peaceable ; powerful, indeed, when 

 assailed, but never attacking except from necessity. 



(83.) In BIRDS, the passions are much more acute 

 and perceptible. It is when we enter the umbrageous 

 woods, and look around amongst its feathered inhabit- 

 ants, that sounds of joy and indications of love open 

 before us. A thousand varied notes and some of the 

 sweetest melody reach our ears; while all from 

 the soft cooing of the dove, to the cackling of the com- 



Bingley's Animal Biography, vol. iii. p. 545. 



