species so truly elegant as that which is called the common Antelope. It is very numerous in Barbary, and in all the northern parts of Africa. Its general colour is a dusky brown mixed with red; the orbits of the eyes are white, and there is a small patch of the same colour, on each side of the forehead; the tail is short. The horns, which are about sixteen inches long, are black and have three curves. The female has no horns, and may also

be distinguished by a white stripe on the flanks.

The following incident is related by Major Denham. "We had also this day a dish of venison, one of the Arabs having succeeded in shooting two Gazelles, many of which had crossed our path for the last three days. On finding a young one, only a few days old, the tawney wily rogue instantly lay down in the grass, imitated the cry of the young one, and as the mother came bounding towards the spot, he shot her in the throat."

This wonderful creature, which unites the bill of a bird with the formation of a quadruped, is a native of New

Holland. The union is so singular that it was at first supposed to be a trick of some persons for the sake of imposing upon collectors. It has a depressed body, covered with a soft fur, dark brown above, and of a rusty white beneath. The head is flattish, and the snout so exactly resembles that of some broad-billed species of duck, that it might easily be mistaken for such tail is flat, furry, and of the same colour as the body.

The

The length of the whole animal, from the tip of the beak to that of the tail, is thirteen inches; of the beak, an inch and a half. The legs are very short, and terminate in a broad web. On the upper part of the head, on each side, a little beyond the beak, are situated two oval white spots, in the lower part of each of which the eyes are imbedded.

From the general form of this animal, and particularly its bill and webbed feet, we may suppose that it lives in watery situations; that it has the habit of digging or burrowing in the banks of rivers, or under ground; and that it feeds upon water plants and animals.

THE LION.

The outward form of the Lion seems to speak the superiority of his internal qualities. His figure is striking, his look confident and bold, his gait proud, and his voice terrible. He is in every respect compact and well proportioned, a perfect model of strength joined with agility. The largest lions are about eight or nine feet in length, the female is about one-fourth less than the male.

When hungry, the Lion boldly attacks all animals that come in his way, but as he is very formidable, and as they all seek to avoid him, he is often obliged to hide, in order to take them by surprise. For this purpose, he crouches upon his belly, in some thicket, or among the long grass which is found in many parts of the forest.

In this retreat he continues patiently till his prey comes. within proper distance; he then springs after it with such force, that he often seizes it at the first bound. He devours a great deal at a time, and usually fills himself for two or three days to come. He drinks as often as he meets with water, lapping it like a dog.

The Lion generally requires about fifteen pounds of

raw flesh in a day, and always chooses to hunt for fresh spoil rather than return to that which he had half devoured before. While young and active, he subsists on what he can obtain by the chase, and seldom quits his native deserts and forests; but when he grows old and heavy, he approaches the habitations of man, and becomes a very dangerous neighbour. The flesh of the camel is said to be more agreeable to him an that of any other animal.

However terrible the Lion may be, it is not uncommon, with dogs of a large size, and well supported with a proper number of men on horseback, to chase him, dislodge him, and force him to retire. But for this enterprise it is necessary that the dogs, and even the horses, should be previously disciplined; since almost all animals tremble and fly at the very smell of the Lion.

Though the skin of the Lion is firm and compact, it is not proof against a musket ball, nor even a javelin; but he is seldom known to be dispatched at one blow. He is frequently taken in a trap, by digging a hole in the ground, covering it slightly with earth and sticks, and fastening some living animal over it as a bait. When thus entrapped, all his fury subsides, and in the first moments of his surprise he may easily be chained, muzzled, and conducted to a place of security.

Major Denham furnishes us with the following anecdote. "The skin of a noble Lion was sent me, which had been taken near Kabshary, measuring from the tail to the nose fourteen feet two inches. He had devoured

four slaves, and was at last taken by the following stratagem. The inhabitants assembled together, and with loud cries and noises drove him from the place where he had last feasted. They then dug a very deep blaqua, or circular hole, armed with sharp pointed stakes; which they most cunningly covered over with stalks of the gussub. A bundle of straw enveloped in a robe, was laid over the spot, to which a gentle motion, like that of a man turning in sleep, was occasionally given by means of a line carried to some distance.

"On their quitting the spot, and the noise ceasing, the Lion returned to his haunt, and was observed watching his trap for seven or eight hours; by degrees approaching closer and closer. At length, he made a dreadful spring on his supposed prey, and was precipitated to the bottom of the pit. The Kabsharians now rushed to the spot, and before he could recover himself, despatched him with their spears.'

Mr. Park gives us the following account in his first expedition to Africa. "As we were crossing a large open plain, where there were a few scattered bushes, my guide, who was a little way before me, wheeled his horse round in a moment, calling out something in the Foulah language, which I did not understand. I inquired in Mandingo what he meant; wava bili bili, (a very large Lion) said he, and made signs for me to ride away; but my horse was too much fatigued; so we rode slowly past the bush from which the animal had given us the alarm. Not seeing anything myself, however, I thought my guide