APT 
In October ; but some of the species, espe- 
cially in the colder parts, do Pot sit till De- 
cember, or even January, How long they 
sit is not known. 
Aptenodytes magellanica, inhabits the 
Straits of Magellan, Staaten Land, Terra 
del Fuego, and the Falkland Isles; is a very 
numerous species, and is often seen by 
-thousands, retiring by night to the highest 
parts of the islands. Its voice is not much 
unlike the braying of an ass. It is not a 
timid bird, for it will scarcely get out of the 
way of any one ; but will rather attack and 
bite a person by the legs. They were 
killed by hundreds by the crews of Captain 
Cooke’s expedition, and were found not; un- 
palatable food. They often mix with the 
sea-wolves, among the rushes, burrowing in 
holes like a fox. When they swim, only 
the neck and shoulders appear out of the 
water, and they advance with such agility, 
that no fish seems able to follow them ; if 
they meet with any obstacle, they leap four 
or five feet out of the water ; and dipping 
into it again, continue their route. It is 
supposed by Latham that Penrose alludes to 
this species, of which he says, the chief cu- 
riosity is the laying their eggs ; this they 
do in collective bodies, resorting in incredi- 
ble numbers, to certain spots, which their 
long residence has freed from grass, and to 
which were given the name of towns. The 
eggs are rather larger than those of a goose, 
and are laid in pairs. They lay some time 
in November, driving away the albatrosses, 
which have hatched their young in turn be- 
fore them, 
Aptenodytes patachonica. This is the 
largest of the genus yet known, being four 
feet three inches in length ; and stands erect 
at least three feet; the weight forty pounds. 
This species was first met with in Falkland 
Islands, and has also been seen in Kergue- 
len’s Land, New Georgia, and New Gui- 
nea. M. Bougainville caught one, which 
soon became so tame as to follow and 
know the person who had care of it ; it fed 
on flesh, fish, and bread, but after a time 
grew lean, pined away, and died. The chief 
food, when at large, is thought to be fish ; 
the remains of which, as well as crabs, shell- 
fish, and molluscae, were found in the 
stomach. This species is the fattest of the 
tribe ; most so in January, when they 
moult. Supposed to lay and sit in October. 
Are met with in the most deserted places. 
Their flesh is black, though not very unpa- 
latable. This has been considered as a so- 
litary species, but has now and then been 
VOL. 1. 
APt 
tnet with in considerable flocks. They are 
found in the same places as the papuan pen- 
guins, and not unfrequently mixed with 
them ; but in general shew a disposition of 
associating with their own species. See 
Plate III, Aves. fig. 6: 
APTER A, in theLinnsean system of zoo- 
logy, the seventh and last order of Insects, 
the distinguishing characteristic of which 
is, that the insects comprehended in it have 
no wings. Of this order there are three 
divisions. In A. the insects are distinguish- 
ed by having Six legs ; head distinct from 
the thorax : there are five genera ; viz. the 
Lepisma, Pulex, 
Pedicuhis, Tcrmes. 
Podura, 
Tn the division B., the. insects have from 
8 to 14 legs ; head and thorax united : of 
these there are eight genera ; viz. the 
Aearns, Monoculus, 
Aranea, Oniscus, 
Cancer, Phalangium, 
Hydraeluia,, Scorpio. 
In the division C., the legs are nume- 
rous ; head distinct from the thorax : of 
which there are two species ; viz. the 
Julus, and 
Scolopendra. 
This order comprehends all kinds of spi- 
ders, the lice of different animals, scorpions, 
and crabs. Upon these we may make a' 
few general observations. The nets spread 
out by spiders to catch their prey, are com- 
posed of similar materials to the silk of the 
silk-worm, and are spun from the animal’s 
body nearly in the same way. The cob- 
webs of the gossamer are frequently seen 
floating in the air in a sunny day; and are 
sometimes so abundant as to fall in showers. 
Each of these has been compared to a bal-: 
loon transporting the little aeronaut that 
formed it, by means of its specific lightness. 
This species of spider attaching its first 
formed thread to the leaf or branch of a 
tree, by dropping to a certain distance, 
lengthens it, then climbs up the thread, and, 
dropping again, draws out another, and so 
on, till a sufficient quantity of this silk is 
formed to buoy the spider up in the air. 
He then separates the whole from, the leaf, • 
and running down to his seat at the bottom, 
trusts himself and liis balloon to the mercy 
of the wind. By this method, these ani- 
mals are transported from tree to tree, and 
from wood to wood, in search of food. The 
cobwebs that are spread over the surface of 
U 
