6^ DOLPHIN. Class IV. 



PUn)\ jElian^ and others, feem to preferve no 

 bounds in their belief of the tales related of this 

 lifh's attachment to mankind. 



Pliny '^ the younger, (apologizing for what he is 

 going to fay) tells the ilory of the enamoured dol- 

 phin of Hippo in a mod beautiful manner. It is 

 too long to be tranfcribed, and would be injur- 

 ed by an abridgement; therefore we refer the read- 

 er to the original, or to Mr. MelmoiFs elegant 

 tranflation. 



Scarce an accident could happen at fea but the 

 dolphin offered himXelf to convey to fiiore the un- 

 fortunate. Arion^ the mufician, when flung into' 

 the ocean by the pyrates, is received and faved by 

 this benevolent fifh. 



Inde (fide majus) tergo Delphlna recun^o, 

 Se memcrant oneri fuppofuifle novo. 



Ille fedens citharamque tenens, pretiumque vehendl 

 Cantat, et sequoreas carmine mulcet aquas. 



Ovid. Fafti, lib. ii. 113. 



But (pali belief) a Dolphin's arched back, 

 Preferved Arion from his deftined wrack 5 



Secure he fits, and with harmonious flrains, 

 Pvcquites his bearer for his friendly pains. 



We are at a lofs to account for the origin of 

 thofe fables, fince it does not appear that the dol- 

 phin fliews a greater attachment to mankind than 



• Epiji* lib, ix. epr 3 J. 



the 



