DOMESTIC rOULTKY. 
405 
tiiral history as the existence of the bird in question should 
have escaped the notice of recent inquirers, is by no means 
likely. In fact, no gallinaceous bird exists in Persia more 
nearly allied to the genus Gallus, than a species of Lopho- 
phorus. If, however, it is merely meant that the Greeks, 
during the intercourse, hostile or otherwise, which existed 
between them and the Persian nation, may have obtained a 
breed, previously domesticated, from that country, the ap- 
pellation is less objectionable,— for it is known, that in a 
domestic state poultry have existed in Persia from a very 
remote antiquity. 
It appears from the learned dissertation read at the last 
meeting of this Society by Dr Scot, that poultry were un- 
known to the ancient Jews, or at least that they are not 
distinctly alluded to in the Old Testament. It cannot, 
however, admit of a doubt that they were well known over 
many parts both of Europe and Asia, for several hundred 
years before the Christian era. When Themistocles took 
the field to combat the Persians, he alluded, while harangu- 
ing the troops, to the invincible courage of the cock ; — 
" Observe with what intrepid valour he fights, inspired by 
no other motive than the love of victory ; whereas you are 
to contend for your religion and your liberty, for your 
wives and children, and for the tombs of your ancestors 
and it was on this occasion that the Athenians achieved one 
of the most memorable victories recorded in history. Ac- 
cording to ^lian, it was in commemoration of this signal 
event, and of the martial image by which the courage of 
the soldiery had been roused, that the Athenians instituted 
those annual games of which cock-fighting formed so con- 
spicuous a feature. Themistocles died in the 65th year of 
his age, and about the 449th year before the Christian era. 
He must consequently have been contemporary with Ne- 
hemiah the prophet. Now, the Old Testament history 
