MEMOIR OP JOHN HUNTER. 
49 
"'as also a favourite subject of inquiry, and one in 
"I'ich he was at all times engaged in prosecuting 
some experiments. 
It vvas his favourite amusement in this retreat to 
'yalk about among his birds and beasts, attendiiio- to 
eir habits and actions. The fiercer animals were 
ose to vv'hicli he was most partial, and he bad se- 
veral of the bull kind, from different parts of the 
"'orhl. Among these was a beautiful small bull 
y^kich he had received from the Queen, with which 
y used to wrestle in play, and entertain himself 
'Vith its exertions in its own defence. In one of 
^^'ese contests, the bull overpowered him, and got 
•n down; and, had not one of the servants acci- 
' totally passed by, and frightened the bull away, 
frolic would probably have cost lum liis life. 
About this time, he was requested by Sir John 
ingle, then President of the Royal Society, to 
up paper fj,,. consideration of that learn- 
hody. This paper led the way to many others ; 
througliout his life, and more especially during 
® ucxt ten years, he was unremitting in supplying 
Society with communications. We may state, 
to ^ '"ords, the more immediate occasion of that 
jj^^kich we have just adverted. Sir John Pringle 
mia*"^ 3 patient, engaged Mr Hunter to exa- 
a the cause of death. At the examination, 
tke stomach was, to the astonishment 
® by-standers, found so entirely dissolved, as to 
ly. ^ 
