ORDER GALLINiE. 203 



spurs of the young cock to the quick, and searing the wound 

 with a red-hot iron. This appears to be much more than 

 doubtful. 



Capons are not subject to the moulting. Their voice loses 

 its strength and clearness ; they seldom attempt to make it 

 heard, and are sad and melancholy in their disposition. The 

 cocks treat them with great severity, and the hens hold them 

 in detestation. They would soon fall a sacrifice to the per- 

 secution of their companions, if man, who has degraded them 

 for his own purposes, did not withdraw them to fulfil the 

 object of their destiny. This object is simply to eat, drink, 

 and sleep, that they may get fat as soon as possible. How 

 many men, without being in the same situation, have no other 

 object or business in existence.'' 



A singular experiment has been tried with capons, in 

 France, according to M. Parmentier, to make them perform 

 the office of hens, in conducting chickens, and even in hatching 

 eggs. For this purpose a stout and vigorous capon is chosen, 

 his belly is deplumed, he is rubbed with nettles, and made 

 drunk with toast and wine. This treatment is repeated for 

 two or three days, during which they keep him shut up in 

 some narrow and confined place ; then he is put into a cage 

 with two or three chickens, which eat with him, glide under 

 his belly, and, by their down, calm the smarts which the 

 plucking of his feathers and the nettles have occasioned. He 

 soon grows attached to them, and calls them back when they 

 quit him. Their number is augmented daily, until he has as 

 many as the volume of his body and the amplitude of his 

 wings will cover. When the intended number is completed, 

 he must be left with them two days longer in a large cage, 

 and then permitted to proceed forth conducting his flock. 

 He will prove as careful and attentive to them as the most 

 assiduous female. 



It was, doubtless, a very good idea thus to make the capon 



