45 



stance of a Dolphin, who used to carry a boy 

 to school upon his back, and bring him home 

 again, across the straights which separate Baiae V 

 from Puzzoli : the boy died of an accidental ill- 

 ness, and for several days the disappointed fish 

 made his appearance at the place where he was 

 wont to take the boy up ; but finding him not, 

 soon pined away and died ; he was placed in the 

 same tomb with the remains of his friend, the 

 boy. 



There are several other facts mentioned by 

 ancient authors to prove the philanthropy of 

 the Dolphin ; but those related above, being the 

 most interesting, will be sufficient for our pur- 

 pose. Since the province of Dauphine, in 

 France, has been united to the crown, their heir 

 apparent has been called " Dauphin," and quar- 

 ters a Dolphin on his shield. Falconer, in his 

 beautiful poem, the Shipwreck, describes the 

 death of this fish in the following elegant man- 

 ner : ,,- 



" Beneath the lofty vessel's stern, 



A shoal of dolphins they discern, 

 Beaming from burnish'd scales refulgent rays, 

 Till all the glowing ocean seems to blaze. 

 In curling wreaths they wanton on the tide ; 

 Now bound aloft, now downward swiftly glide. 



