Beeton's Dictionary of natural history : a comprehensive cyclopaedia of the animal kingdom : containing upwards of two thousand complete and distinct articles

Preface

AT DEE, througliout the extent and variety of her productions and processes, is Man’s great Teacher. If, indeed, the proper study of Mankind is Man, then a mass of plainly written, and carefully illustrated, information upon the Animal Kingdom is entitled to rank high amongst the Aids to Knowledge ; and we believe that the present work will materially assist readers and students in following their examination of Comparative and Human Physiology, as well as give the necessary answers to every-day cpiestions in Katural History.

There is ample testimony by the greatest minds to the vast value of an intimate acquaintance with the structure and habits of birds, beasts, and fishes ; for, from the time of Aristotle, first of scientific thinkers.

to this day of Darwin and Huxley, the Animal Kingdom has had for its chief ministers and expounders the very foremost intellects.

Apart from the study of Animated Kature being peculiarly a healthy and ennobling pursuit, it leads not unfrequently to practical results of a very utilitarian character. That nothing exists for nothing, wo well know ; it is our ignorance alone that x)revents our making tenfold the use we do of the treasures, organic and inorganic, committed to our charge. It is not difficult to prove that Nature’s Explorers have been the World’s great Inventors ; and it is certain that nothing tends more towards the effectual training of the intellectual powers, than the habit of closely examining the Natural Living Wonders which surround us on every side.

Zoology enters by far too little into the ordinary curriculum, and, alike among Statesmen and Philosophers, there are many who have properly called for more extended studies throughout the Empire of Natural History ; and, than this subject, wo liavo warrant for belief, there exists none more interesting to the minds of the youthful or mature. Now that National Education has come rightly to be considered a bounden duty amongst civilized communities, there exists an opportunity to press the claims of Natunil History to be tauglit in niEFACE.

ir

all scliools. It should invariably find its place amon(T the rudiments of instruction now to be given to the coming generations, fortunate in being born in times when people have awakened to the demands of conscience and duty, preached and promulgated by earnest and sincere thinkers.

Our book will be of some assistance, we hope, both to those who prosecute their inquiries as students, and to those who shall but desire to solve some special doubt, or search for some specific information. Like all the other volumes which have been issued under the general title of Beeton’s Dictionaries, it has been conscientiously compiled. The originator of this series of Compendious Cyclopaedias has been aided by a number of honest workers, who have very diligently sought to carry out, faithfully and fully, the first idea of these works, which was that they should be thoroughly good books, serviceable and useful to the community at large.

TIIK

DICTIONARY OF NATURAL HISTORY.

Aard-Vark

A.

A,ard-Vark, ard'-farJc, (Du. earth-pig,) in 'Zcol., an animal which belongs to the class Mammalia, the order Edentata, and the family Dasypidaj. It feeds upon insects, such as ants and termites, and burrows in the ground. It is nocturnal in its habits, and during the daytime is very seldom seen in the open air. Aard- Vark is the name given by the Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope to the Orycteropus capensis, a species now disunited from the Myrmecophaga, or ant-eaters of Linnaeus, with which it was formerly classed, because it has a few molar teeth, but neither incisors nor canines. In many of its habits it resembles the echidna of Australia, the myrmecophaga of America, and the pangolins of Asia ; fulfilling the same purposes in Southern Africa which these species fulfil in their respective countries. The average length of an adult aard-vark is five feet.

Aard-Wolf, ard'-%voolf (Du. earth-wolf,) a genus of digitigrade carnivorous mammals founded by Isidore Geoffroy St Hilaire, thought by some zoologists to be a link which connects the civets with the dogs and hyaenas. It is an extremely singular animal, having externally the appearance and bone-structure of the hyaena united to the head and feet of the fo.x, with the intestines of the civet. It was brought from Africa to Europe some years ago by the traveller Delalande. Its size is about that of a full-grown fox, which it resembles in both its habits and its manners, being nocturnal, and constructing a subterraneous abode. Its scientific name is Proteles cristata.

Abdomen, ab-do'-men, (Lat. abdo, I hide,) in Anat., the belly, or lower part of the trunk, separated from the chest or upper part by the diaphragm. It contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, &c., and is lined within by a membrane called the peritoneum. For convenience of description, the abdomen is divided horizontally into three regions, — the upper, or epigastric ; the middle, or umbilical ; and the lower, or hypogastric. It may also be divided longitudinally by two lines, when the above terms are confined to the central portion, the ejiigastric having on each side the right and left hypochondriac, the umbilical, the right and left lumbar, and

Abou-Hannes the hypogastric the right and left iliac. Abdomen, in Ent., signifies the whole lower portion of the body of an insect, united to the corselet, or thorax, by a stalk of variable diameter.

Abdominales, or Abdominal Fishes, abdom-i-nai'-lees, the fourth class of animals in the Linnsean system. Charac. Ventral fins (those of the belly) placed behind the pectoral, (those of the breast,) in the abdomen, and the branchiae or gills ossiculated. The arrangement of Linnaeus is now, however, generally discarded, the term Abdominales denoting a family or subdivision of malacopterygious or soft-finned fishes only.

Abductor Muscles, db-duJe'-tor, a term given in Anat. to those muscles which pull one part of the body from another ; as adductor muscles are those which draw one part of the body to another.

Aberdevine, ab-e)'' -de-veen, a song-bird, sometimes called the Siskin. It is the Carduelis spinus of Cuvier, and resembles the green variety of the canary-bird, with which it is often paired, to produce what are called mule birds. In its habits it is migratory, breeding in the north of Europe, and visiting Germany, France, and Britain only in the autumn and Avinter.

Abnormal, ub-nor'-mdl, (Lat. ab, from, and norma, a rule,) in Zool., a term applied to any structure Avhich is opposed to the ordinary form.

Aboma, d-bo'-ma, a species of large serpent, inhabiting the morasses of South America. (Aec Boa.)

Abou-Hannes, a-boo'-han'-nes, an African bird, considered by some naturalists to be identical with the ancient ibis. Although solitary in its habits, it is sometimes seen in small bands of from six to ten, and is c.apable of a lofty and pOAverful flight. It has some resemblance to the curlew found in Britain, but has not been observed to run. In Egypt it is called by the inhabitants Abnu-Menzd, Avhich literally signifies “Father Sickle-llill,” from the curved resemblance which the beak beans to that implement. The Ethiopic name, however, is Abou-JIannes, Avhich means “Father John,” and AA'hich, according to M. Dumont, is supposititiously ai'plicd to it because it arrives in Ethiopia about the day of St John. The ibis, although so much associated Avith Egypt, does

THE DICTIOFAEY

Abramis not breed in that country, but arrives as the waters of the Nile begin to rise, and disappears when these subside.

Abramis, d'-hram-is, a sub-genus of malacopterygious or soft-finned abdominales, of which the bream is a species.

Abranchta, d-hrdn'-lce-a, (G-r. a, without, and hranchia, gills.) an order of annelida, so called because they breathe without the aid of gills.

Abraxas, a genus of nocturnal lepidoptera, in which is included the common magpiemoth. Its colour is yellowish white spotted with black, and a band of pale orange marks the wings. It deposits its eggs on the leaves of the currant and gooseberry in July or August, and the caterpillars are hatched in September. Its chrysalis is blackish-brown with a tinge of red.

Absorbents, absorb' -ents, (Lat. absorbeo, I suck up,) a name given in Anat. to certain small delicate vessels which imbibe fluids that come in contact with them, and carry them into the blood. They are denominated lacteals or lymphatics, according to the liquids which they convey.

Absorption, in Physiol., a term employed to designate that natural function of the body which is exercised by the absorbent vessels ; as the absorption of the chyle by the lacteal vessels.

Acalephje, d-lca-le’-fe, (Gr. aJcalephee, a nettle,) a class of marine invertebrate animals, comprehended in the sub-kingdom liadlata, and otherwise called sea-nettles. It embraces an extensive number of animals, of which the genus Mediisa of Linmeus may be taken as the type. This genus has a nervous system and senses ; a muscular system ; a reproductive system and development ; the power of stinging when touched ; and is often phosphorescent. Acalephae have been separated into four families, — the Fxdmonograda, the CHliograda, the Cirrhigrada, and the Physograda. These families exhibit a great variety of genera of peculiar structure and form. Some of them are extremely beautiful, and present an interesting study to the naturalist. {See Jelly-Fisu and Medusa.)

Acantiiias, d-kdn'-thi-as, a genus of sharks. The word signifies “Thorny,” and is employed because in front of each dorsal fin the fish has a sharp spine. The picked dog-fish is a familiar British example.

Acanthion, d-Jcdn'-the-oti, in Zool., a genus of Bodentia known, at present, only by their osteology. The genus was established by M. F. Cuvier.

Acantiioderma, d-kdn-tho-der'-ma, a fossil genus of fishes.

Acantiiodes, d-lcun-tho’-dees, a genus of fossil ganoid fishes, found in carboniferous strata near Edinburgh, Scotland.

Acantuopuis, d-kdn' -Lho-fis, in Zool., a genus of venomous serpents allied to the vipers. From these, however, they are distinguished by having the head flat and projecting over the eyes; the nostrils between two shields, and a hooked spine at the end of the tail. The death adder of Australia belongs to this genus. They are viviparous, and conceal themselves among the roots of trees, depending for their prey on the effects of the poison with which their fangs are imbued.

Acantiiopterygii, d-kan-tho-pte-ry’-ofi-i, one of the three natural orders or primary divisions 3

Achilles Tendon of fishes, divided by Cuvier into fifteen natural families.

Acanthurds, d-kdn'-thu-rus, in Nat. Hist., a genus of fishes of the order Thoracici. Charac. Teeth small, in most species lobated ; tail with a sharp spine. One species is called the Sea Surgeon, because the spines on each side cut like a surgeon’s lancet. It is a native ol the Indian and Arabian seas, in the latter of which it is generally seen in large shoals of two or three hundred each, swimming with great strength, and feeding principally on differeuc kinds of sea-weed. The genus contains a large number of species, many of which are extrem ely beautiful both in form and colour.

Acanthylis, dk-an-tld'-lis, a genus of the Hirundinacese or Swallows. The needle-tailed swallow of Australia belongs to this genus.

Acarus, dk'-d-rus, a genus of arachnida belonging to the order Acarina, and the family Acaridae, and popularly called Mites. The harvest bug, the scarlet mite, the flour mite; the beetle mite, and many others, belong to the same family. The ticks are closely related to the acari. They are all of small dimensions, and many of the species are extremely beautl ful when seen under the microscope, particularly by reflected light. The dog-tick, the sheep-tick, and others, are best seen by polarised light.

Accentor, dk-sent'-or, a genus of birds belonging to the tribe Dentirostres. The third and fifth cjuills of wing are longest. The hedge sparrow belongs to this genus.

Accipitres, dk-sip' -e-trees, (Lat. accipiter, a hawk,) an order of birds having a crooked beak and powerful talons. In this order are classed the vultures, falcons, hawks, and owls.

Acephalous, Acepiiala, a-kef'-a-lus, (Gr. akeplialos, headless.) in Zool., a group of molluscous animals which have no apparent head.

Acerans, Acera, d-ser'-rans, (Gr. a, without, and keras, a horn,) in Ent., a family of apterous insects.

Acerina, d-ser-i'-na, a genus of acauthopterygian fishes distinguished by the want of teeth and the palatine bones. The common pope or ruff belongs to this genus.

Acetabulum, d-se-tab'-u-lum, (Lat. a small cup or dish,) signifies, in Zool., the suckei'S of the arms of the cuttle-fish, as well as other dibranchiate cephalopoda, which have on this account been termed Acetabulifera.

Acetabulum, in Anat., is the term applied to that deep cup-like cavity of the os innominatum which receives the head of the femur, or thigh-bone, thus forming the hip-joint.

Acetabulum, in Ent., is a term signifying the cavity in the trunk in which the leg is fitted.

Aciiatina, d-kdt-i'-na, in Zool., a genus of terrestrial gastropods, popularly called Agate Shells. The African achatinae are the largest of all land snails, being eight inches long, and laying eggs as large and as hard-shelled aa those of the sparrow. The genus is easily recognised by the hooks at the end of the antennas.

Acherontia, d-ke-ron' -tz-d, a genus of lepidopterous insects, family Sphingidae, which embraces some of the largest European lepidoptera, the most remarkable of which is the Acherontia atropos, or death's-head hawk-moth, (which see.)

Achilles Tendon, d-kil'-lees ten'-don, (LaL tendo Achillis,) in Anat , a tendon which con-

OF NATUKAL HISTORY.

Achilleum nects the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf of the leg with the bone of the heel. It takes its name from the fable of the mother of Achilles dipping him in the river Styx to render him invulnerable. During this operation she held him by the heel, which thus escaped the water, and in this vulnei’able spot he subsequently received his death -wound from an arrow.

Achilleum, a-Jcil'-le-um, a genus of fossil spongiadm, of which there are two species found in the cretaceous strata of England

Acidaspis, ds-id-ds'-pis, a genus of fossil Crustacea, of the group Trilobites, found in the Wenlock limestone.

Acipenser, d-se-pen'-ser, (Lat. acipenser, a sturgeon,) in Ichth., a genus of fishes of the order of Amphibia nantes. It has a single linear nostril ; the mouth is in the under part of the head, and without teeth ; the cirri are below the snout, and before the mouth. There are three species of this genus. 1. Acipenser Huso, the largest, is a native of Eussia. The skin is so strong as to be used for traces in drawing vehicles. The isinglass of the shops is made from its sounds and scales. — 2. Acipenser Ruthenus is also a native of Eussia. — 3. Acipenser Sturio, or the sturgeon, is frequent in our rivers. Isinglass is also made of the sounds of this fish. The sturgeon is sometimes found of the length of 18 feet, and weighing 700 lbs. It is oviparous, and spawns in water. (See Sturionidte.)

Acontias, d-lcon'-ti-as, a genus of lizards without external limbs. It is quite harmless, and is not unlike the blind-worm of England, feeding in much the same manner. It is popularly called the Javelin Snake, and is beautifully coloured with chestnut brown, dotted with light yellow. It is a native of Southern Africa.

Acoustic Duct, d-lcow' -stile, in Anat., a term ajiplied to the meatus auditorius externus, or external passage of the ear.

Acrida, d-Jerid'-a, a genus of orthopterous insects belonging to the family Locustidie. The great green grasshopper of England belongs to this genus.

Acrobates, dlc-rob' -at-ees, a genus of marsupial animals. The opossum mouse of Australia belongs to this genus.

Acrochordus, dk-ro-lcor'-dus, a genus of serpents discovered in Java. Charac. Head Hat, and with the body covered with small scales ; without poison-fangs, but possessing a double row of sharp-pointed teeth ; throat capable of great extension ; tongue thick and short ; length from 8 to 10 feet. The Javanese call it Oular Carron. It has a habit of pulling itself out to such an extent that the scales separate from each other.

Acrosalenia, d-Jeros-a le'-ne-a, a genus of fossil echtuodermata, occurring in the Isle of Sheppey.

Acrotemnus, d-Jero-tem'-nus, a genus of fossil ganoid fishes. One species is found in the chalk of Sussex.

Actinia, dlc-lin'-i-a, in Zool., a genus of zoo- ])hytes belonging to the order Actinoida. There arc many Eritish species, which are commonly known as sea -anemones, from their resemlilance to flowers. They are found on all rocky coasts, and they form the chid attraction of the marine aquarium. The body is conical or cylindrical, adhering to the rock by a broad

Adiairal disc-like base. The mouth, which is a simple opening into the internal cavity that serves as a stomach, is surrounded by numerous tentacles, which are often beautifully marked. These organs are retractile, and, when not covered by water, the actinia appears as a smooth hemispherical lump of elastic matter, sometimes of a brilliant colour. A very great number of species belong to this order, some of which reside between high and low water mark, and others at so great a depth that they can only be casually obtained by the deep-sea line.

Actinocrinites, dk-tin-o-krin-i' -tees, a genus of crinoidea, comprehending a great many species. It is found in carboniferous and Silurian strata.

Ada, a’-da, a genus of lizards belonging to the family of Teguexins, and inhabiting Gluiana. One species is between four and five feet long.

Adapis, d'-dap-is, in Zool., the name of a genus of fossil pachydermatous (thick-skinned) mammals, first described by M. Cuvier, who deduced its existence and anatomical conformation from three fragments of thehead, which had been discovered in the gypsum-quarries of Montmartre.

Adda, dd'-da, the Arabic name for a small species of lizard found in Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, wherever the smallest degree of moisture exists.

Addax, ad'-dax, a genus of antelope found in North Africa, and known by the long and spinally-twisted horns. They live in pairs, and prefer sandy to fertile country.

Adder, dd'-der, the common viper. (Nee Viper.)

Adductor Muscles, dd-duk'-tor, (Lat. adduce, I draw towards,) in Anat., are those muscles which draw the parts to which they are attached together. They are opposed to the abductor muscles. (See Abductor Muscles.)

Adipose Tissue, dd'-i-pose, (Lat. adep^, soft fat,) in Physiol, comprises an aggregation of minute cells filled with fat, which they appropriate from the blood. This tissue serves several important purposes in the animal body; filling up interstices, forming a pad or cushion for the support of the movable parts, and assisting in the retention of heat.

Adjutant, in Orn., a gigantic crane, belonging to the Ardeidm or Heron family. Its scientific name is Leptoptilos argala. Charac. The adjutant stands five feet high ; the neck and head are almost bare ; the beak very large, long, and of extraordinary strength. Beneath the beak hangs a dbwny pouch like a dewlap, which the bird has the power of inflating. The upper part of the adjutant is of an ash-gray colour, the under part white. Its voi'acity is wonderful : it can swallow a fowl, a rabbit, or a leg of mutton, at a mouthful ; and it is extremely useful in devouring all sorts of carrion. In Calcutta it is called the scavenger, and any person wantonly killing one is fined 50 rupees. In their wild state these birds live in companies. Seen near a river, and from some distance, Dr Latham remarks that they may “ well be taken for canoes njmn the surface of a smooth sea, or for men and women picking up sliclllish or other things on the beach.” llab. The warmer ]iarts of India.

Admiral, in Conch., a beautiful shell of the Volute species, and comprising four kinds : tl\o Grand-admiral, the Vice-admiral, the tlrangeadmiral, and the Extra-admiral. The first ia

Admiral of a fine white enamel, with bands of yellow finely turned about the head, and the clavicle excited. It is principally characterised by a denticulated line along the centre of the large yellow band : this distinguishes it from the Vice-admiral. The Orange-admiral has more yellow ; and the bands of the Extra-admiral run into each other.

Admiral or Admirable, in Entom., a name given to two beautiful butterflies belonging to the genus Vanessa. The Scarlet-admiral has scarlet belts upon the wings, and the Whiteadmiral white belts.

jEga, e'-gah, a genus of parasitic Crustacea belonging to the family Cymothoadae, and the order Isopoda. They are popularly called Fishlice, and resemble the common woodlouse of our gardens.

JEgle, e'-pZe, a genus of Crustacea belonging to the family of the Crabs. It is found off the Mauritius and the Philippines.

iEGOCERUs, e-gos'-ser-us, a genus of antelopes inhabiting Southern Africa. The Blau-bok belongs to this genus.

uEgotheles, e-go'-tM-les, a genus of birds belonging to Fissirostres. The owlet nightjar of New Holland belongs to this genus. It is sometimes called the New Holland Groatsucker.

HilOLiDiE, e-o'-lid-ee, a family of the nudibranch molluscs, known by the gills along the sides of the back. They inhabit all warm and temperate seas.

AEquorea, e'-quor-e-a, a genus of naked-eyed medusae or jelly-fishes. It is known by the number of circulating vessels, which exceed eight, the slender tentacles, and the wide, many-lobed footstalk.

.^Etobates, e-toV -at-ees, a genus of fossil fishes allied to the Kays, the species of which are found at Sheppey, in the London clay.

Agama, or Gtold-breasted Trumpeter, a-ga'- ma, or Psophia crepitans. A bird about the size of a pheasant or large fowl, with long neck and leg's, but a short tail. It is found in numerous flocks in South America ; can run swiftly, and, when pursued, trusts less to its wings than to its legs. In its domesticated state, the agama is so fond, faithful, and jealous, that it will attack the dogs and other animals who venture near its master to share his caresses. It belongs to the family of the Cranes.

AGAMiDiE, a-ga' -mid-ee, a family of saurian reptiles. Charac. Short, broad, flat heads, and thick depressed bodies, enveloped in a loose skin, which is capable of being distended with air at the will of the animal. Different species of Agamidse are found in Asia, Africa, Australia, and America. Some species can change the colours of their skin, which causes the natives of South America to call them chameleons. They are of diminutive size, and generally lurk among rocks, heaps of stones, and mouldering ruins. Some of the more active kinds, however, climb trees, play among the branches, and feed upon insects and other small animals. The strange Moloch lizard, whose body is wholly covered with spikes, b«elongs to this family. It is a native of Australia. The flying dragons also belong to the Agamidse. The frilled agama, a native of Australia, is a very extraordinary looking animal. Around its neck, and covering its shoulders, it carries a frill, which on the approach of danger is elevated.

Age of Animals

Agate-Shell. (^S^ee Achatina.)

Age, aij, (Fr. age), in Physiol. — During the progress of life from infancy to manhood, and from manhood to old age, the body undergoes certain marked changes, which distinguish the different periods or stages of life. These are usually denominated ages, and are properly seven in number, though some make them fewer. They are — 1. Infancy ; 2. childhood ; 3. boyhood or girlhood ; 4. adolescence ; 5. manhood or womanhood ; 6. age ; 7. old age. The first age commences at birth, and extends to the end of the second year, by which time the first dentition is generally completed ; the second extends to the end of the seventh or eighth year, when the second dentition is commonly over ; the third extends to the age of puberty, which varies in different countries, but with us is from twelve to fourteen in the female, and from fourteen to sixteen in the male ; the fourth extends to about the twentieth year in the female, and the twenty-fourth in the male ; the fifth period extends in the female to about the forty-fifth or fiftieth year, when the power of procreation usually ceases, and in the male to about the forty-ninth or fiftieth year ; the sixth period extends to the sixty-third year, when the seventh and last period of life commences.

Age of Animals. — It has been stated that the duration of an animal’s life is generally seven or eight times longer than the period it takes to arrive at its full growth, a rule that applies moderately well to domestic animals, such as dogs, horses, sheep, oxen, and even elephants and camels, but is not applicable to man, or to the majority of quadrupeds, fishes, birds, or reptiles. The age of the horse may be calculated by an examination of the incisive teeth or nippers ; but at ten years old these marks are lost, and no accurate calculation can be arrived at. Deer shed their horns every year, and, in the males of some species, each year adds a branch to the horns, until a certain size is attained. In sheep, oxen, antelopes, and goats, a ring is annually added to the base of the horn up to a certain age. There are no certain indications by which the duration of the life of birds, fishes, and reptiles can be ascertained. The Indians assert that the elephant lives 300 years Dogs live from 12 to 14 years, sheep 8 or 9, oxen about 20, horses, if well treated, from 25 to 30, camels from 40 to 50. Eagles have lived more than a century, and many instances are recorded of ravens having exceeded that period. Swans, also, have been known to live 100 years, parrots 60 and 80 ; pheasants and domestic poultry seldom reach more than 12 or 15 years. Among fish, the carp has been known to live 200 years. River trout have been confined in a well for 30 and 50 years. A pike has been known to exist in a pond for 90 years. A stoiy is related of one caught in a lake near Hailerun, in Suabia, which had attained the age of 267 years. Of reptiles, the tortoise is said to be the longest lived ; but this may be doubtful, as nothing is known of the duration of life of the various tribes of serpents. Of the ages of insects but little is known. The life of the caterpillar or grub, in its first period, extends to several months ; but after the attainment of their perfect form, they live but a few days or weeks. As a general law of nature, early maturity indicates shortness of life.

OF KATUEAL HISTOEY.

Agelenidae

AGELENiDiE, ag-U-cen' -id-ce, a family of eighteyed spiders, including the house spider, many field spiders, and the formidable marmignatto of Corsica, which catches locusts and eats them. Its colour is deep black, with several round spots on the abdomen. One spot is deep red.

Agonus, ag'-o-nus, a genus of acanthopterygian fishes belonging to the family Triglidse or Gurnards. The lyrie, sometimes called the armed bull-head pogge, sea poacher, or noble, is an example of this genus. The body is covered with bony plates.

Agouaba, ag'-wdJi-rah, native name for the crab-eating racoon. (See Racoon.)

Agouti, d-goo'-te, in Zool., the Chloromys of P. Cuvier, the Dasyprocta of Illiger, a genus of animals belonging to the class Mammalia, order Rodentia, and family Hystricidae. Charac. Toes armed with long and very strong claws, and completely separate from each other ; hind legs very much longer than the fore ; head large, , forehead and face convex ; eyes full and black ; ears short, round, and almost entirely denuded of hair ; hair for the most part coarse and bristly, but in some species nearly as fine as the fur of the rabbit ; twenty teeth. At the first settling of the West India islands they were very numerous, and were an article of constant consumption by the Indians ; but the planters finding them too destructive to the sugar-canes, of the roots of which they are extremely fond, have destroyed them in great numbers. Whilst eating, these animals sit upon their hind quarters, and hold their food between their fore-paws. They are exceedingly voracious, and, when they have satisfied their appetite, will hide the remainder of their food for another meal. They live under decayed trees and fallen timber, are vei’y prolific, and produce young more than once a year. Their flesh is good eating, and they hold in S. America the same place as the hare or rabbit in Europe. There are seven perfectly ascertained species; viz., the common agouti, {Dasyprocta Aguti,') known also by the name of the long-nosed, or yellow-rumped cavy ; the black or crested agouti, {Dasyprocta cristata,) sometimes termed the black -crested agouti; the acouchy, or olive agouti, {Dasyprocta Acuchi ;) the white-toothed agouti, {Dasyprocta croconata ;) the Dasyprocta prymnolopha ; the sooty agouti, {Dasyprocta fuliginosa ;) Azara’s agouti. Hah. The hotter parts of S. America, the West India islands, and Guiana.

Agriopus, ag-ri'-6-pus, a genus of fishes belonging to the Triglidae. It is remarkable for the great development of the dorsal fin, the spinous portion rising in a curve over the shoulder and reaching neaidy to the tail. The seepard of the Cape is an example of this genus.

A I. {See Bradypus.)

Aiglet, ai'-glet, in Zool., a young eagle. {See Eagle.)

Ailantiius, ai-lan'-thus. {See Attacus.)

Alauua, a-law'-da, (Lat. alauda, a lark,) in Orn., the lark, a genus of birds belonging to the conirostral tribe of the order Passeres, and family Fringillidae. Charac. Beak cylindrical ; nostrils concealed ; head crested ; tail forked ; wings long ; first quill sometimes spurious ; the first, second, and third quills longest, and nearly equal ; the rest considerably graduated. Various species of lacks are found in all quar-

Albatross ters of the globe. The skylark or laverock {Alauda arvensis) is the best known in this country. He is unrivalled as a songster, and has been a theme for poets from the earliest ages. The male alone is gifted with melody ; the female makes her nest among the herbage or corn, and devotes herself almost constantly to the process of incubation. They are granivorous birds, of migratory habits, and, instead of washing, shake dust among their feathers. They are considered a great delicacy for the table. The season for catching larks commences, in this country, in the middle of September, and terminates at the end of Pebruary. More than 4000 dozens are annually supplied to the London markets alone. The Alauda arvensis, or skylark, and the Alauda arhorea, or woodlark, are the only ones that sing when flying. The skylark rises perpendicularly, the woodlark in widely-extended circles ; and they sometimes soar to an enormous height, and sing for an hour together. The shorelark {Alauda alpestris) is frequently found in North America, and generally breeds near the sea-shore. The calandra lark {Melanocorypha calandra) is a larger bird than the skylark, and possesses a more sonorous voice. In Italy, a good singer is compared to a calandra. Among other species, there are the 'pratensis, or titlark, which frequents meadows ; the arhorea, or woodlark, distinguished by a white fillet about the head. It is less than the skylark ; the colours are paler, and the voice less varied, but sweet. The campestris has half of the chief feathers of the wings brown, except two, which are white, and the throat and breast yellowish. The trivialis, whose tail is partly bi’own and partly white, is a native of Sweden. The cristata is a native of Europe, and sings like the skylark. The spinoletta is a native of Italy. The magna is common in Africa and America. The New Zealand lark inhabits Charlotte Sound, where it is named Kogoo Aroure.