164 PHEASANT. 



conjectures ; but a much more probable supposition is suggested by 

 Mr. Lawrence,* that these stones serve, by friction, to kill the grain, 

 and deprive it of its vitality, which, otherwise, would resist the action 

 of the digestive powers. Thus it has been found, that if oats, or barley, 

 given to horses, are previously killed by heating, the animal only 

 requires half the quantity, and yet thrives equally : it is, perhaps, on 

 this principle also, that the rational feeders of horses bruise the grain 

 coarsely, before it is put into the manger. 



We have divided the Genus Pheasant into two sections : the one 

 containing such as are most like our Domestic Cock, and its Varie- 

 ties; the second those assimilating with the Pheasant; but including 

 in the latter division the Argus, Horned, and Impeyan Pheasants, 

 all of which, if a more scrutinizing division were to take place, 

 might occupy as many new Genera. We have retained too, our 

 Crested Pheasant, not knowing where better to place it. 



l.-JAGO COCK. 



Gallus giganteus, Coq Jagq, Temm. Pig. Sf Gall. 8vo. ii. p. 84. Id. Tab. Anat, 2. f. 1. 

 Jago Cock, Marsd. Sumatr. p. 98. 



THE whole we are able to learn, concerning this noble species, 

 is, that it is of twice the size of our poultry ; that it is called the 

 Jago Breed, and inhabits Sumatra and Java ; though a description 

 is not given, Mr. Marsden observes, that this bird is so tall as to 

 enable it to peck food off a common dining table ; and that it has 

 the habit, when fatigued, of resting its body on the hind part of its 

 leg, and in that state is taller than a common Fowl. We have not 

 been fortunate enough to see a specimen of this bird, but that it 

 must be a giant of its race, can easily be imagined, from the figure 



* System of Comparative Anatomy, translated from the German of J. F. Blumenback, 

 p. 146.— Note. 



