19 
the remotest portions of the globe, in every 
zone which navigators have visited, these 
birds seemed to expect their arrival, and 
even to have stretched beyond them into 
more distant and more stormy latitudes. 
Every where they have been seen to sport 
in security, and even gaiety, on that ele- 
ment, so terrible in its fury, which unnerves 
the most intreped man ; as if Nature meant 
to demonstrate, that the instinct and facul- 
ties which she has allowed to the inferior 
creatures excel the combined powers of 
our reason and our art. 
Furnished with long wings, accommodated 
with palmated feet, the Petrels add to the 
ease and nimbleness of flying, and to the 
facility of swimming, the singular power of 
running and walking on the water, razing 
the waves in a rapid passage, their bodies 
being supported horizontally, and balanced 
by the wings, and their feet striking alter- 
nately and precipitately on the surface. 
Hence (says Buffbn) is derived the English 
name Petrel or Peter el, which alludes to 
St. Petei's walking on the sea. 
These birds are seldom seen on land, 
VOL. Ill D 
