NATURAL HISTORY. PLAYFUL HABITS, AND AFFECTION OF ANIMALS. Ir is extremely curious to observe in animals, ways and doings like those of human beings. This is a department of natural history which has never been honored with any systematic study; perhaps it is thought too trifling for grave philosophers. I must confess, however, that I feel there is some value in the inquiry, as tending to give us sympathies with the lower animals, and to dispose us to treat them more kindly than we generally do. The sports of animals are particularly affecting. They come home to our social feelings; and the idea is the more touching, when we'regard the poor beasts, as perhaps enjoying themselves when on the very brink of suffering death for our enjoyment... It is reported by all who have the charge of flocks, that the lambs resemble children very much in their sports. In the mellowed glow of a June evening, while the ewes are quietly resting in preparation for their night's sleep, the lambs gather together at a little distance, and then begin a set of frolics of their own; dancing fantastically about, or butting, as in jest against each other. The whole affair is a regular game of romps, such as a merry group of children will occasionally be allowed to enjoy just before going to bed... It is highly amusing to witness it, and to trace the resemblance it bears to human sports, which is sometimes carried so far, that a single mamma will be seen looking on close by, apparently rather happy at the idea of the young folks being so merry, but anxious also that they should not behave too roughly, otherwise she must certainly interfere. That there is merriment, genuine, frolicksome merriment, in many of the lower animals, no one can doubt, that has ever watched the gambols of the kid, the lamb, the kitten, or dog. But there is something in these sports still more human-like' than mere sport. The principal of make-believe, or jest, as opposed to earnest, can be discerned in many of their merrymakings... A friend of mine observed a kitten amusing itself by running past its mother, and giving her a little pat on the cheek every time it passed. This must have been done as a little practical joke. The cat stood it for a time very tranquilly; but at last appearing to get irritated by the repetition of such absurd behaviour, she gave her offspring a blow on the side of the head that sent the little creature spinning to the other side of the room. The kitten looked extremely surprised at this act of mamma, as considering it very ungracious of her not to take the joke in the way it was meant. Affection is another of the human-like characteristics of animals, and one of those best known. A Newfoundland dog once lived with a family in one of the southern states of the American Union, which had rescued one of its master's daughters from drowning. The family had occasion to proceed in a schooner for the city of St. Augustine; they had embarked, and the vessel was swinging off from the pier, when the dog was missed... To quote a newspaper narrative," They whistled, and called, but no dog appeared; the captain became impatient, declared he would wait no longer, gave the orders, and the craft swept along the waters with a spanking breeze, and was soon a quarter of a mile from shore... The girl and her father were standing on the vessel, looking back upon the city which they had probably left for ever, when Towser was seen running down to the edge of the wharf, with something in his mouth. With a glass they discovered that it was his master's pocket-handkerchief, which had been dropped on the road to the vessel, and which he now recollected, with some compunctions of conscience, he had sent his four-footed servant back to look after. The dog looked piteous upon the bystanders, then at the retreating vessel, and leaped boldly into the water. His master immediately pointed out the noble animal to the captain, requested him to throw his vessel into the wind, until the dog could near them... He also offered a large sum of money if he would drop his boat and pick him up; told him of the manner in which he had preserved his daughter's life, and again offered the price of a passage if he would save the faithful creature... The girl joined her entreaties to those of her father, and implored that her early friend might be rescued. But the captain was a savage: he was deaf to every entreaty; kept obstinately on his course; and the better animal of the two followed the vessel, until, his strength exhausted, and his generous heart chilled by despair, he sank among the more merciful billows." Chambers's Journal. MIGRATION OF ANIMALS. THERE is not a known animal which does not occupy a situation exactly suited to its natural habits. But, in the revolution, or the unfavorableness of the seasons, should that situation deny to the individual that frequents it a proper supply of support, and a sufficient command of safety, then it goes away in quest of another more favorable to its wants... He who ventures into the dreary regions of frost and snow, will see that no animal can remain there with impunity when food becomes deficient. Away the famished creature goes elsewhere, in search of fresh supplies. It is then that undeviating instinct acts her part, and unerringly shows the track which must be followed; whether through the yielding air, or in the briny wave, or on the solid ground. For example, millions of wild fowl migrate from the northern to the more southern regions of our hemisphere, when "winter comes to rule the varied year, sullen and sad." Their food has failed... Again, our magpies, rooks, jays, ringdoves, and pheasants, never fail in autumn to frequent oak-trees in quest of acorns. But when these have disappeared, then instinct directs the same birds to labor elsewhere on the ground for their daily food; and they are seen no more on the oak-trees in quest of acorns, until returning autumn furnishes a fresh supply When Boreas announces the approach of ... winter, we find that shoals of fish glide regularly to the south; whilst the quadrupeds, with here and there a solitary exception, all turn their faces to the south, and leave the roaring storms behind them. In a word, the man who spends his time in nature's field, will have innumerable facts to show that food and shelter are the two main inducements which instigate animated nature to make its periodical movements; or to remain in one locality, should food and shelter be at command. STRUCTURAL ADAPTATION TO NATURAL WANTS. OUR views of the structure of animals must always be regulated by a reference to their natural conditions. The neglect of this plain and reasonable rule has given rise to misconceptions with regard to several animals, and more especially to the sloth, the ant-bear, and the ape... The motion of the bill, of the swallow, or the fly-catcher, in pouncing upon a fly, is so rapid, that we do not see it, but only hear the snap. On the other hand, how very different are the means given to the chameleon for obtaining his food! he lies more still than the dead leaf; his skin is like the bark of the tree, and takes the hue of sur |