AVIIITE-IIE ADED EAGLE. 
41 
vomiting power, as the bird constantly swallo^ys large quantities of in- 
digestible substances, such as quills, hairs, &c. In this sac of the Eagle, 
I found the quill feathers of the small white gull ; and in the true 
stomach, the tail and some of the breast feathers of the same bird ; and 
the dorsal vertebrae of a large fish. This excited some surprise, until 
you made me acquainted with the fact of its watching the Fish-hawks, 
and robbing them of their prey. Thus we see, throughout the whole 
empire of animal life, power is almost always in a state of hostility to 
justice, and of the Deity only can it truly be said, that justice is com- 
mensurate with power ! 
" The Eagle has the several auxiliaries to digestion and assimilation in 
common with man. The liver was unusually large in your specimen. 
It secretes bile, which stimulates the intestines, prepares the chyle for 
blood, and by this very secretion of bile (as it is a deeply respiring ani- 
mal), separates or removes some obnoxious principles from the blood. 
(See Dr. Rush's admirable lecture on this important viscus in the human 
subject.) The intestines were also large, long, convolute, and supplied 
with numerous lacteal vessels, which differ little from those of men, ex- 
cept in color, which was transparent. The kidneys were large, and 
seated on each side the vertebrte, near the anus. They are also destined 
to secrete some offensive principles from the blood. 
" The eggs were small and numerous ; and after a careful examination, 
I concluded that no sensible increase takes place in them till the par- 
ticular season. This may account for the unusual excitement Avhich 
prevails in these birds in. the sexual intercourse. Why there are so many 
eggs is a mystery. It is perhaps consistent with natural law, that every- 
thing should be abundant ; but from this bird, it is said, no more than 
two young are hatched in a season, consequently no more eggs are 
wanted than a sufficiency to produce that effect. Are the eggs num- 
bered originally, and is there no increase of number, but a gradual loss, 
till all are deposited ? If so, the number may correspond to the long 
life and vigorous health of this noble bird. Why there is but two young 
in a season, is easily explained. Nature has been studiously parsimoni- 
ous of her physical strength, from whence the tribes of animals incapa- 
ble to resist, derive security and confidence." 
The Eagle is said to live to a great age, sixty, eighty, and as some 
assert, one hundred years. This circumstance is remarkable, when we 
consider the seeming intemperate habits of the bird. Sometimes fasting 
through necessity, for several days, and at other times gorging itself 
with animal food, till its craw swells out the plumage of that part, form- 
ing a large protuberance on the breast. This, however, is its natural 
food, and for these habits its whole organization is particularly adapted. 
It has not, like men, invented rich wines, ardent spirits, and a thousand 
artificial poisons, in the form of soups, sauces, and sweetmeats. Its food 
