THE ECCENTRIC NATURALIST. 457 



to me, for, being well acquainted with books as well as with nature, he 

 was well fitted to give me advice. 



It was summer, and the heat was so great that the windows were all 

 open. The light of the candles attracted many insects, among which was 

 observed a large species of Scarabaeus. I caught one, and, aware of his 

 inclination to believe only what he should himself see, I shewed him the 

 insect, and assured him it was so strong that it would crawl on the table 

 with the candlestick on its back. " I should like to see the experiment 

 made, Mr Audubon," he repUed. It was accordingly made, and the 

 insect moved about, dragging its burden so as to make the candlestick 

 change its position as if by magic, until coming upon the edge of the 

 table, it dropped on the floor, took to wing, and made its escape. 



When it waxed late, I shewed him to the apartment intended for him 

 during his stay, and endeavoured to render him comfortable, leaving him 

 writing materials in abundance. I was indeed heartily glad to have a 

 naturalist under my roof. We had all retired to rest. Every person I 

 imagined was in deep slumber save myself, when of a sudden I heard a 

 great uproar in the naturalist's room. I got up, reached the place in a few 

 moments, and opened the door, when, to my astonishment, I saw my 

 guest running about the room naked, holding the handle of my favourite 

 violin, the body of which he had battered to pieces against the walls in 

 attempting to kill the bats which had entered by the open window, 

 probably attracted by the insects flying around his candle. I stood 

 amazed, but he continued j umping and running round and round, until 

 he was fairly exhausted, when he begged me to procure one of the ani- 

 mals for him, as he felt convinced they belonged to " a new species." Al- 

 though I was convinced of the contrary, I took up the bow of my de- 

 molished Cremona, and administering a smart tap to each of the bats as 

 it came up, soon got specimens enough. The war ended, I again bade him 

 good night, but could not help observing the state of the room. It was 

 strewed with plants, which it would seem he had arranged into groups, 

 but which were now scattered about in confusion. " Never mind, Mr 

 Audubon," quoth the eccentric naturalist, " never mind, I'll soon arrange 

 them again. I have the bats, and that's enough." 



Several days passed, during which we followed our several occupa- 

 tions. M. de T. searched the woods for plants, and I for birds. He al- 

 so followed the margins of the Ohio, and picked up many shells, which 

 he greatly extolled. With us, I told him, they were gathered into 



