. OF SELBORNE. ^21 



sexual distinction in many birds, these co° 

 lours do not take place till sexual attach- 

 ments begin to obtain. And the case is 

 the same in quadrupeds ; among whom, in 

 their younger days, the sexes differ but 

 little : but, as they advance to maturity, 

 horns and shaggy manes, beards and 

 brawny necks, &c. &c., strongly discrimi- 

 nate the male from the female. We may 

 instance still further in our own species, 

 where a beard and stronger features are 

 usually characteristic of the male sex : 

 but this sexual diversity does not take 

 place in earlier life ; for a beautiful youth 

 shall be so like a beautiful girl that the 

 difference shall not be discernible ; 



" Quern si puellarum insereres choro^ 



" Mire sagaces falleret hospites 



" Discrimen obscurum, solutis 



" Crinibus, ambiguoq[ue vultu." Hor. 



