117 



They are also, in moderate weather, frequently seen 

 in shoals, driving with surprising velocity through the 

 water, from a point that indicates to seamen, a sure 

 prognostication of an approaching gale of wind, or 

 dreadful swell of the sea from that quarter. And are 

 not the same characteristick habits, discoverable in al- 

 most every species of the winged tribes ? Do we not 

 see almost every individual of the feathered race dis- 

 appear. at the threatning onset of a hurricane, to seek, 

 in a safe retreat, a shelter from its destructive ravages ? 

 with this exception, only that the hated Sheer-Water, 

 in sportive gambols, fearlessly skims the maddening 

 billows, while the ship-wrecked seaman, with envious 

 gaze, beholds it in safety, mocking the foaming 

 summits that every moment threaten him with death. 



Denon, in describing the approach of the Karasin, 

 or hurricane in Egypt, observes " The yellow hori- 

 zon shewed the trees on its surface of a dirty blue ; 

 the flocks of birds were flying off before the clouds ; 

 the affrighted animals ran loose in the country, follow- 

 ed by the shouting inhabitants, who vainly attempted 

 to collect them together again."* 



In the description of an approaching hurricane of 

 dust at Lucknow (Hindostan) it is observed, " The 

 birds were flying very high, making a terrible scream - 



The fishes that annually ascend our fresh water ri- 

 vers, during the spring floods, discover the same cha- 

 racteristick habits. 



* Vol. ii, ]>. 528, f Lord Valeria's Travels vol. i p !f,l. 



