INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xvii 



St. Helena is a new land, raised from the bed of the ocean. But 

 if we admit this to be the fact, how are we to account for the 

 origin of the present insect tribe ; which are pretty numerous, 

 consisting of various sorts of beetles, grubs, and worms? If these 

 did not exist at the period of discovery, there seems to be no other 

 mode of explaining their present existence, than by reviving the 

 exploded doctrine of equivocal or spontaneous generation. Under 

 this difficulty, it may possibly be inferred, that these sorts of 

 insects actually must have existed : and, hence it would follow, 

 as a natural consequence, that subterraneous fire, and volcanic 

 eruption, have not been the sole causes of formation : because, 

 in either case, no creature whatever could have remained alive. 



The introduction of quadrupeds, domestic fowls, and birds, 

 remaining at present, may be easily conceived.* There is, how- 

 ever, a species of land bird, inhabiting the interior, and found in 

 considerable numbers, of which, I believe, no notice has ever 

 been taken by any writer on St. Helena. It is of that descrip- 

 tion not likely to be brought there by shipping, and seems for 

 this reason particularly to deserve attention. It is not a bird of 

 passage, for it is seen throughout the year: indeed none of that 

 description have ever found their way to St. Helena. In appear- 

 ance, and size, and in some of its habits, it resembles the common 

 sand-lark frequently seen on the shores of Europe. It is called 

 the " Wire-Bird ;" probably from its very long legs, resem- 

 bling wires, which enable it to run with uncommon swift- 

 ness. The legs are of a greenish colour ; the body and wings 



* Domestic fowls of all countries thrive at St. Helena. Besides these, there are 

 peacocks, guinea-fowls, pheasants, partridges, doves, parroquets, Java sparrows, canaries, 

 and averdavats. All these have evi«3ently been imported by shipping. There are also 

 some rabbits, but no hares. The wire-bird, alone, is of tliat description which cannot 

 be supposed to have been imported. 



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