CHAP. II. Of the Lyon, &c.

Nature has bestowed in the distribution of her various gifts, some characterestic badge to every animal, by which they know and are known to each other; and by which they are conversible with, or envious to one another. Sociability, or the love of herding, is not so peculiar to man, as man would boast. Lyons, horses, dogs, Cats, and the other species are as fond of forming colonies as we are. And yet in contradistinction to this principle, we see the Lion chase the Jack-all for his caterer. The Jack-all, says Pliny, is endowed with the most excellent nose to investigate the paths of those weak, or timorous beasts, which are the Lion’s prey. This scent renders him the more useful to his friend the Lyon, whom he leads by the nose to a herd of deer or oxen. The Lyon, wanting this fine scent, and convinced of his deficience, takes into his familiarity, and confidence, this weak animal, who makes use of the other’s strength, and from his own inability in personal prowess, compensates the loss by the admirable organization of his odorific nerves. Thus, in like manner, the Pilot-fish conveys the Shark to his prey: And I have read in some learned antiquary of a bird, called the Tooth-pick, which lives on the leavings of the Crocodile, who having filled his belly with what fish he can pick up in the Nile, lies on his back, on the banks of that river, and basks himself with delight, while this bird, guided by instinct, and no way afraid of his terrors, perches on his teeth, and from the gleanings feeds himself to satiety. We ought not in this detail omit to take notice of the Fly-eater, who puts his tongue out, till several thousand flies, have in swarms covered it, and when he perceives it to be pretty well stocked, all on a sudden introduces the cargo, where it is fairly entered; and this trick he plays for several hours, till the custom-house can hold no more.