HEARING. 45 



her. Many facts in the Natural History of the hare 

 might be produced to support this idea ; but one will 

 suffice: a hare, pursued by greyhounds along a 

 turnpike road, was seen by a woman approaching 

 her immediately in front ; she knelt down, and the 

 hare ran fairly into her apron, which was stretched 

 out to receive him. This circumstance clearly proves 

 that poor puss was much more occupied from dangers 

 behind, than those which so unfortunately were placed 

 before her. 



" The next animal is one which, although predatory 

 in its habits, does not obtain its prey by pursuit, but 

 steals upon it unawares ; and, as such, is much in- 

 debted to the excellence of its outward perceptions for 

 the ease with which it seizes its victims. 



" This animal is the fox. On examination we find 

 the external portion of his auditory structure is not 

 tubulated in a similar manner to the two former 

 instances ; but, on the contrary, is expanded princi- 

 pally from behind, in a forward direction, into nearly a 

 circular aperture. This opening is very well adapted, 

 when the head is thrown laterally and upwards, for 

 receiving sounds from above. His prey is usually 

 met with in hen-roosts, or perched on trees ; and his 

 mode of taking them by surprise induces him to 

 approach them stealthily. Hence arises the necessity 

 of sounds indicating their immediate presence being 

 transmitted to the sensorium as soon as possible. 

 The moment his ear indicates his prey above him, 

 his eye is immediately turned in that direction ; and 

 thus, if within his reach, is very speedily captured. 

 What more beautiful provision for this animal's neces- 

 sities could be met with than those with which he 

 appears to be provided? His ears first give the 

 indication of the presence of his prey, and his eye 

 instantly contemplates the objectof his pursuit*." 

 # Mag. of Nat. Hist. iv. 12. 



