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G E N U S II. 



THE SAVAGE. 

 S P H E X. 



Plate 3. 



Chara&er of the Genus. 



The Mouth is form'd of oblong Jaws, without Trunk, or Tongue. 



The Wings lie fmooth, and perfectly even. 



The Antlers have ten joints. 



The Weapon at the tail is fimple, fharp, and hollow; and does 

 not appear, except the Body be prefs'd; or the creature ftrikes with it. 



Nothing can be fo provident as this creature for its young; nor 

 any thing fo favage, as the means it ufes for that purpofe. The man- 

 ner of living is different in the various Species ; and fo is the gene- 

 ral form of the Body : the prefent and fucceeding figure will fhew 

 this difference of fhape : yet all the while the Genus is, and muft be 

 allowed the fame, becaufe the Characters in all the diftinctive parts 

 agree. And in the fame manner, tho' the place of fhelter, and the 

 courfe of life, be utterly different ; yet the fame manners appear in- 

 nate, and inherent in both. 



They agree in being the fierceft of all Flys ; they will attack 

 Infects much larger than themfelves ; and this, whether they be de- 

 fencelefs, or arm'd, as they are, with a Sting. The Strength in all 

 this favage kind is great ; their Jaws are hard, and fharp ; and in 

 their Sting is a poifon, fuddenly fatal to the creatures with whom 

 they engage. The Savage feizes hardily on the creature he attacks : 

 and gives a ftroke of an amazing force ; and then falls off, as if himfelf 

 were kill'd : but 'tis to reft from his fatigue, and to enjoy his victory. 

 He keeps a fleady eye on the creature he has ftruck, 'till it dies, 

 which is in a few minutes ; and then drags it to the neft, for the 

 young. The number of other Infects thefe deftroy, is fcarce to be 

 conceiv'd ; the mouth of their cave is like a Giant's of old in romance ; 

 ftrew'd with the remains of prey : the Eyes, the Filament that ferves 

 as Brain, and a fmall part of the contents of the Body, are all the 

 Savage eats : and he will kill fifty for a meal. 



B 1. COMB- 



