AND LOWER EGYPT. 49 



e( very regularly designed, and of a for ^ absolutely 

 " similar *." Game of every kind is there in 

 abundance, and that bird whose flesh, of an ex- 

 cellent flavour, claims a prescience even to the 

 bird of Pilars, the francolin v heath-cock), is not 

 scarce in this island -j-. 



The sea appears to contend with the land in ge- 

 nerosity, in order to multiply the resources already 

 so abundant which the earth provides for the sup- 

 port and delight of human life. Fiah is there found 

 in great profusion : they fish for tunnies with that 

 species of sweep-net which is likewise used along 

 the coast of what was called Provence. They were 

 caught in such quantities during my residence at 

 Palermo, that the fishermen who hawked them 

 through the streets, preceded by a drum, sold them 

 at the rate of five farthings a pound ; and some 

 time before, while we anchored at the Vignettes, 

 the same fish cost at Toulon three pence the pound. 



* I have distinguished this observation, respecting the Si- 

 cilian oxen, by marks of quotation, because Buffon, who had 

 it from me, has introduced it into the supplement to his History 

 of Quadrupeds, second art. des Bceufs. 



f The francolin is not peculiar to Sicily, as has been asserted 

 in an abridged Description of Sicily, printed as a sequel to Bry- 

 done's Tour: " There are various species of fowls which are 

 ** to be found no where but in Sicily, such as the framolin 

 " (meaning francolin undoubtedly) :" but it is well known 

 that this bird likewise inhabits other warn) countries, 



vol. 1. e Another 



