THE WORKS OF THE CREATION. 215 



conclusive, as he states it to be, that they were at- 

 tracted by sight alone. Their sight might have 

 directed them certainly to the spot, but still there 

 might have been some smell in the skin. If the 

 head of a vulture were properly dissected, there can 

 be no doubt but that the organs of scent would 

 be found to be strongly developed. 



When Dr. Hastings had concluded this account, 

 he conducted his companions to see one of his 

 favourite views. It was from the edge of the down 

 that he pointed it out to them. Opposite to the 

 spot on which they stood, there was a perfect am- 

 phitheatre of hills, great part of which were covered 

 with hanging woods, having a great variety of 

 foliage, encompassing a valley of the richest fer- 

 tility, through which the trout stream meandered 

 in a playful and irregular manner. The summit of 

 a hill to the left, commanded a landscape which 

 nature appeared to delight in, as her choicest trea- 

 sures seemed to have been lavished upon it. Here 

 were grassy knolls, and hanging copses, with here 

 and there fine spreading oak and beech trees, and 

 little silvery sparkling streamlets, which seemed 

 formed for the purpose of refreshing the roots of 

 these majestic trees ; all these formed the principal 

 features of a scene in which every thing was blended 

 in the loveliest harmony and proportions. The 

 strangers were delighted with what they had seen, 

 and when they had sufficiently admired the view, 



