23 



spring, by teeth and claws ; the tiger with the greatest 

 agility, turns round and forces its claws into the croco- 

 dile's eyes, while the latter regardless of pain, plunges 

 with his fierce antagonist into the river, and after 

 struggling for some time, the tiger is drowned. A 

 Negro combats with them on water by guarding one 

 arm with a cow's hide, which arm he presents to the 

 animal who swallows it greedily, the other hand is ready 

 with a knife, which he sticks under its throat several 

 times ; and the water getting into its mouth, the crea- 

 ture is bloated up and dies. 



On the lower shelves are arranged a series of Tortoises. 



In the Windows are the Rattle Snake, Indian Rock 

 Snake, Mourning Snake, &c. 



In the Table cases are arranged a general collection 

 of Radiated Animals. 



On the walls between the windows are some species 

 of Rhinoceros ; and over the various cases, are the Horns 

 of various species of Deer. 



On the top of the cases are the Skulls of two Ele- 

 phants and that of a Rhinoceros from India : and also 

 of two Giraffes; under the further window is a specimen 

 of the Tiger Rock Snake. 



The Eleventh Room 



contains the general collection of fish and corals. In 

 a case over the fireplace is a fine specimen of the Flying 

 Sword Pish, and by its side a piece of Oak Plank 

 pierced by one : this Fish is very cornmon in the Medi- 

 terranean and is much esteemed as food by the Sicilians : 

 and sometimes weighs 100 lb. The families of fish are 

 so numerous and in each family such a variety of kinds 

 differing in their structure and habits, that in attempting 

 a description, it is difficult to know where to begin, and 

 more difficult to know where to end, for if we were to 

 lead the visitor from case to case, direct his eye from 

 shelf to shelf, from jar to jar, we should describe, define, 

 enumerate, compare and illustrate, until we had written 

 enough to fill the book at each division in each case. 



