214 
THE SWAN IN POETRY 
infer that the loug neck and trenchant biU were given to her as an 
instrument to be used in the extirpation of sub-aquatic bulbs and roots. 
And once in possession of this luminous indication, which confers upon 
the bird the useful functions of a preserver from infection and a sani- 
tary inspector, the said naturalists were forced to put aside the rash 
assertion that she was simply an oi'namental animal. 
The swan, says Toussenel, with some extravagance, but consider- 
able vivacity, is the ^dile of the waters, — combining the offices 
of director of hydraulic economy and conservator of the general 
health ! The ancients, he thinks, almost divined her twofold mission, 
when they consecrated her to Apollo, the god of the fine arts, and 
to Venus, goddess of beauty; or, in other words, to the two most 
charming divinities of the old Pantheon. 
Greek poets have sung of the swan, as they have sung of the night- 
ingale, the dove, the swallow, and all graceful creatures and creations. 
With this snow-white "thing of beauty" they delighted in peopling 
the haunted waters of Hellas, and specially those of Eurotas, the 
favourite resort of Leda. Because the latter was the mother of " the 
snowy-necked Helena," they fabled that Jupiter had introduced him- 
self to her under the form of a swan. 
Summing up various indications of her popularity, Toussenel bursts 
out into an animated eulogium on her various admirable quaUties. He 
tells us that he has often spent long hours in watching the male in the 
performaiice of his duties as the head of a family; speeding on in 
advance of his lively brood "under full sail," with wings amorously 
spread to catch the gentle breeze, tracing a broad furrow on the rippled 
surface of the lake, and, with head erect and glowing eye, examining 
the scene before and around; while the mother follows up the rear- 
guard in an attitude not less haughty, and the little cygnets disport 
between them with all the careless gaiety natural to youth. 
As he glides over the water, without any visible motion of his oars, 
he forms a perfect image of the screw-steamship, one of the most 
magnificent conceptions of the higher industry. Nautical science, which 
has already adapted to the ship the swan's method of progi-ession, will 
