PASSIONS OF ANIMALS. 
33 
long since lost sight of, was to advertise the neighbours, in 
the event of the swarm taking a distant flight ; for by bee- 
law a man is allowed to follow his swarm on another person’s 
property, and to secure that which without a notice the other 
might appropriate as a lucky windfall. 
“ The organ of hearing in insects is most probably situated 
in the antennae. 
66 Fish can hear very distinctly; carp distinguish the 
sound of a bell, and the voice of their keeper, when called 
to be fed, which the author witnessed at a pond containing 
some carp of an amazing size, in the Imperial gardens at 
Peterhof, near St. Petersburgh ; a similar circumstance is 
also mentioned with regard to the trunk-fish, in the island of 
Mauritius. Guana lizards are said to be enticed into traps 
by whistling to them. 
“ Birds are endowed with a most susceptible power of 
hearing ; provided most wisely as a means of preservation, 
with regard to their peculiar habits. Obstructed as their 
sight must often be, by the intervention of branches and long 
grass, they would otherwise fall an easy prey; but the 
sound of a footstep, or the snapping of a twig, excites their 
immediate alarm, and they ensure safety by flight. Some 
birds not only recognise the voice of their master, but dis- 
tinguish its intonation, whether as coaxing them, or as call- 
ing them to feed. But however keen the faculty in general, 
song-birds must yet possess a much greater development ; 
for they not only show an ear for melody, by rising and fall- 
ing in their notes, but they will even pick up an air from 
a flageolet or an organ. The mocking-bird of America is 
undoubtedly the most extraordinary proof of this faculty; 
for it will imitate as well the songs and cries of other birds, 
as the sounds of different animals. Of all birds, the owl has 
probably the most exquisite sense of hearing. The mere 
examination of the outward part of the organ is sufficient 
to prove that fact with certainty. Dependent on it for its 
means of subsistence, as enabling it to perceive its prey in 
the shades of evening, when its sight, however piercing, can 
only enable it to seize the object, whose slightest motion 
denounces its presence ; it sails along on its noiseless silken 
wing, exciting no alarm in other things, though it receives it 
from them. 
“ Among mammalia, the formation of the ear varies in very 
many cases, according to the habits and peculiar nature of 
the animal. The portion of the ear of the mole assigned 
for the cognisance of sounds passing in the air, is less per- 
fect than those which, deeper seated, receive the impression 
xxvi. 5 
