Pug] 



AND SYMBOLS. 



287 



there is undoubtedly in some low-natured men an inherent 

 pugnacity. They resemble game-fowls. Game-fowls are noto- 

 rious for their pugnacity ; and the young cocks crow, clap 

 their little wings, and obstinately fight with each other even 

 whilst under their mother's care. Mr. Darwin relates cases of 

 whole broods, scarcely feathered, stone-blind from fighting ; the 

 rival couples moping in corners, and renewing their battles 

 on obtaining the first ray of light. Let us honour them as 

 heroes ! VA. 



The Folly of Pugnacity. 



Plus sot qu'un grillon (a greater fool than a cricket) is a 

 saying which has arisen from the destruction into which the 

 field-cricket (Gryllus campestris) allows itself to be drawn 

 through its pugnacity. The cricket lives alone in its hole. 

 Country children take these insects by presenting a straw to 

 them in the hole. The pugnacious cricket seizes it directly 

 with its mandibles, and lets itself be drawn out of the hole and 

 so taken. How often in negotiations, in debate, and in society 

 does the pugnacious man, by a similar abandonment of his 

 prudence, allow himself to be victimised by those who keep 

 their temper, and laugh at him for losing his ! I. 



Political Pugnacity. 



To make two male crickets fight, the Chinese place them in 

 an earthen bowl about six or eight inches in diameter. The 

 owner of each tickles his cricket with a feather, which makes 

 them both run round the bowl different ways, frequently meet- 

 ing and jostling one another as they pass. After several 

 meetings in this way, they at length become exasperated, and 

 fight with great fury, until they literally tear each other limb 

 from limb. The managers of political parties enjoy the spec- 

 tacle of their faction-mongers fighting with a similar passion. 

 They irritate them into action, often about matters that are 

 not worth a feather's weight, and then watch with zest the pug- 

 nacity which ruins reputations and destroys honour. p. 



