DR. DARWIN. 297 



That curious plant of the polar regions, 

 the Barometz, from it's exterior refemblance 

 to a fheep or lamb, is, by poetic magic, 

 transformed into that animal, and to it the 

 Whale is compared ; furely on no other 

 poffible relation, than as both the odd 

 plant and the fea-monfter, are natives of 

 the ardic regions. The Whale, however, 

 makes a grand poetic picture : 



Since then, the thing itfelf is rich and rare, 

 Exclaim not, f( How the d 1 came it there*!" 



Mimofa, Seniltive-plant, becomes a 

 nymph of infinite delicacy. The objects 

 aptly chofen to illuftrate the nervous fenfi- 

 bility with which that plant recedes from 

 the approaching hand, are thus defcribed, 

 and furely with no common happinefs : 



So finks, or riles, with the changeful hour, 

 The liquid filver in it's glaffy tower 5 

 So turns the needle to the pole it loves, 

 With fine vibrations quivering as it moves, 



* Parody of Pope's lines on the Amber. 



The 



