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we find them most usefully placed as at once seems apparent, it being desirable he should 

 have a greater range of view horizontally than perpendicularly. It always seems curious we 

 should see objects with one eye, or both eyes, and yet be unable to distinguish what we see 

 with either eye only or with both we know, however, this is the case, as if you shut one eye, 

 you find the space you take in by the other eye less than when you have both eyes open. 



Now in birds it probably is of the greatest importance to them that they should see in 

 every direction, upwards as a protection from winged enemies, downwards to seek their 

 food, and all around for protection from enemies on the ground perhaps they seldom, if 

 ever, see one object with both eyes at the same time, in consequence of the position of their 

 eyes, which certainly are so placed as to give them the power to see in almost every direction 

 without turning their heads. You frequently see a bird on the ground turn its head side- 

 ways to look at a bird high in the air, I have often had my attention called to a large bird so 

 high in the air as to be only a speck, by observing the bird on the ground so looking up. 

 Owls however which take their prey in the dark, probably have their large eyes so placed to 

 enable them to see their prey on the ground when flying over, and probably they have no 

 enemies which attack them by night, and it is unnecessary for them to guard against attacks 

 from above ; their whole attention being required in looking for their prey, which, their eyes 

 placed as they are, enable them to see. 



Having noticed the position of birds' eyes, we will now make a few observations on those 

 of some fishes : as salmon, trout, and smelts, perhaps as beautiful in form as any other kinds 

 (always excepting an old male salmon in autumn, which is often as ugly as anything can possibly 



