LECTURE ON HEADS. 147 



" Musing" with attention and pleasure, on the beautiful engraving of the * Head 

 of a Fox,' which decorates the first number of the fiftieth volume of your interest- 

 ing publication, I was insensibly led by a concatenation of ideas, to consider the 

 wide difference which exists between the heads of various animals, compared with 

 others, and found myself lost in a maze of reflections, the result of which was, my ex- 

 claiming 1 exultingly with the Psalmist * O Lord, how manifold are thy works!' 

 It is indeed astonishing*, with what variety nature has moulded, not only the whole 

 shape, but especially the mask of several species in the extensive works of creation ; 

 and the opposite means through which she arrives at the same end, namely, the 

 protection and preservation of the individual. Though simple, this observation, if 

 properly considered, and minutely particularized, would yield interesting matter 

 for whole folio Volumes ; but I shall confine my reflections at present, to an instance 

 or two, leaving other parallels for another time. 



While observing the sharp nose, the acute ear, and sunken eye of the fox, 

 in the Plate above mentioned, I had not far to seek for a counterpart. Fan my 

 little pug was dancing about me, and supplied my mind with full and appropriate 

 points of comparison, in the diametrically opposite character of her features. 



Instead of the lengthened, wedgeshaped muzzle of the Ajax of the poultry yard, 

 I find in this little snapper at cats, and gnawer of bones, a flat, roundish knob, pro- 

 jecting about an inch from the forehead, which rises here, with an abrupt and 

 sudden curve between the ears ; whereas, in the other it ascends by degrees, with 

 a gentle slope to the top of the scull. The different manner of getting their food is 

 obviously connected with this opposition of shape. The fox, like the terrier, the pig, 

 the mole, &c. has often occasion to turn up the ground ; the pug, which is nothing 

 less than a bull-dog in miniature, living on the kindness and gratitude of man, 

 whom he amuses or defends, and finding his food ready for him, does not want the 

 sharpness of a snout, and appears perfectly satisfied with the wrinkled bluntness of 

 his face. The mouth participates also of the same intention from nature. The 

 thief, which slyly insinuates himself into the hen-house, and seizes upon its feathered 

 inmates, has been provided with large chaps, sheltered under the prominency of 

 the nose but the assertor of his right to a bone, or to his kennel, has received a 

 strong projecting under-jaw, in which the teeth are placed in such a curious 

 angle, that nothing can force off his hold, unless he chuses to give it up. 



The eyes though keen and bright in the fox, are like two carbuncles set in 

 deep and dark recesses ; they appear significant and cunningthe eyes of a pug- 

 are projecting and brilliant : they have the shape and brightness of large pearls, 

 and speak kindness and simplicity. 



The ears of this little pet, like those of nearly all her tribe, have fallen a sacrifice 

 to fashion. In their natural state, they would have curled forward upon them- 

 selves, as if to defend the nakedness of the auditory shell. Reynard has the organs 



