FRANK BUCKLAND'S

CURIOSITIES OF NATURAL HISTORY

THIRD SERIES

Library

of the

University of Toronto

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PORTSMOUTH.

OF

CRUSOE

ROBINSON

:

CURIOSITIES

OF

NATURAL HISTORY.

BY

FRANCIS T. BUCKLAND, M.A.,

LATE STUDENT OF CHRIST CHUECH, OXFORD,

AND HER MAJESTY’S INSPECTOR OF SALMON FISHERIES, ETC.

xb j&eues.

THE POPULAR EDITION.

LONDON

RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON,

Publishers tit ©tiunatg to gcr fftajestg the ©ueett.

1885,

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Toronto

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https://archive.org/details/curiositiesofnat03buck

PREFACE.

In the following pages will be found some of my experiences and observations during the last few years. The subjects treated are certainly various* but I have always made it a rule to observe and learn wherever I go. For more than seven years I gave to w The Field ” newspaper my best labours* by contributing weekly articles to its columns. Of these contributions* by legal agreement* I retain the copyright, and therefore reproduce from that journal selec-tions from my writings.

Owing to the treatment I received, my connection with “ The Field ” has now entirely ceased.

I beg to offer my thanks to the proprietors of the “ Leisure Hour,” “ Household Words,” and “ Chambers’ Journal ” for their kindness in allowing me to reproduce some of my articles which originally appeared in their columns.

I have endeavoured to give credit to all who have afforded me any information or have shown me any acts of kindness. This Second Edition varies somewhat from the first. I have re-written and otherwise amended many of the articles, and have added much new matter. It will be observed that quotations are frequently made from “ Land and Water.” This is a weekly journal which the late lamented Mr. Ffennell and I myself, together with a certain number of friends, set on foot. Our object was to promulgate sound views upon the important subjects of 66 The Fisheries” and “ Natural History as applied to practice,” and I shall always be glad to receive communications on these topics for its columns. The importance of the British Fisheries, deep seawhether cod, — herring,— mackerel,— trawling, or oysters, cannot be overrated. In reality, we know little or nothing about the habits of they come, where they go, wheresea-fish—whence and how they deposit their eggs, and upon what they feed. I trust the time is not far distant when the Government will appoint some competent practical naturalist to investigate these matters, for without knowledge of the habits of fish it is impossible to legislate for their protection. For many years I have deeply studied the oyster

question* and through the means of an experimental fishery belonging to myself and three private friends* at Keculvers* near Margate* I am

-gradually finding out the history of this most un communicative but yet most valuable mollusc.

The Salmon Fishery question* I am glad to say* has now got a strong hold of the public mind; and the Boards of Conservators of the various salmon rivers in England and Wales are doing their best to assist that much -persecuted fish the salmon against the various physical and legal difficulties which are opposed to its interest.

Her Majesty’s Government have been pleased* since the First Edition of this book was published* to give me the high and responsible office of one of the Inspectors of Salmon Fisheries for England and Wales. The public may rest assured that I will do my very best to fulfil the duties of my office both in and out of doors. I have also had the gratification of receiving within the last year three medals for Fish Culture from France—one from the Exhibition at Arcachon and two from Boulogne; and have been elected Hon. Member of the Acclimatisation Society at Melbourne for sending the ova of the English non-migratory trout to Australia, at the request of my friend

J. Youl, Esq., to whom the honour of introducing salmon to Australia is due.

It will be observed that I make reference to “ The Museum of Economic Fish Culture ” at the Royal Horticultural Hardens, South Kensington. I have set up every preparation in this Museum with my own hands, for I feel convinced that the public will obtain a better idea of Fish and Fisheries by having specimens before their eyes than by reading about them in books. After examining the magnificent collection of casts of fish in the Museum of the Royal Society of Dublin, I was determined to have one of my own. I therefore taught myself to model in plaster of Paris, and have now a very large series of these casts. Some of them have been coloured by Mr. Briscoe, the artist, but the process is expensive. In the Museum can be large thresherseen casts of a 66 Ca’ing 59 whale,—a shark,—a sword-fish,—-a sturgeon,—many large salmon,—and other fish of economic value. I cast most of these fish at home, at night, after the day’s work is over, and the entire expense of this labour, as well as of the preparations in the Museum, comes out of my private income.

The process of hatching salmon and trout, (which in my absence will be explained by the attendant, Neville), I carry on on behalf of the Science and Art Department of the South Ken-

:

sington Museum, under whose patronage my collection is exhibited to the public at the Horticultural Gardens.

The sheets of this Second Edition were mostly printed during the time that I was absent from home on official inspections of salmon rivers. My friend Henry Lee, Esq., F.L.S., has most kindly taken much trouble in their correction and revisal, and I gladly take this opportunity of thanking him heartily for his kindness.

I hope, should health and strength be spared, to continue my exertions in the investigation of the wonderful works of creation and my endeavours to reduce these investigations to practice for the good of my fellow-men.

To my excellent Father and Mother I owe a good education, the most valuable legacy a son can inherit. I trust ever to do honour to their name as a slight recompense for all that I owe to them.

Finally, reader, forgive all shortcomings and imperfections, and rest assured that if I can ever be of service to you in the good cause of “ The Fisheries ” and “ Natural History,” you may command me. Frank Bxtckland.

37 Albany Street, Regents Park Nov. 27, 1867

CONTENTS

OF

THE THIRD SERIES.

PAGE PAGl

Roman Winning-posts.. 42 A Clearance Lot.... 77 Roman Race-meetings.. 43 Price of Elephants... 78 A Roman Derby-day... 44 Camels—Giraffes.... 79 Scenes on the Course.. 45 Giraffes burnt to Death.. 80 The Roman Jockeys... 46 Protection of Stables from The Race 47’ Fire 81 The Cnrragh of Kildare. 48 The Giraffe voiceless., 82 A Yorkshire Fishing-match 49 First importation of Giraffes 83 The Dog and Pike... 50 Giraffe born in the Gardens 84 The polite Barber... 51 Bears for Grease.... 85 The Anglers’ Meeting-place 52 The Hairdresser’s Bear.. 86 The Match commences.. 53 Leather-mounted Jemmy. 87 My Prospects of the Prize. 54 A Happy Family.... 88 “ Tommy Parsee ”... 55 Members of the Happy The Wandering Jew... 56 Family 89 .. 90The Weighing-in.... 57 The Family at Supper The smallest Fish... 58 The Kleptomaniac... 91 A patient Angler.... 59 The Monkey poisons himself 92 Group of Landing-nets.. 60 Monkeys’ Tails.... 93 Anglers good Fellows.. 61 Jack takes his Medicine. 94 The Prizes 62 Jack turns Gold-digger.. 95 Collection of Curiosities and Jack makes his Escape.. 96

Antiquities 63 Jack is reduced to the Ranks 9 7 Yorkshire Antiquities.. 64 Jack’s Bedtime.... 98 “ The Healing Service ”. 65 Traps for Wild Monkeys. 99 Sir Henry Slingsby’s Shirt. 66 Traps for Monkeys...100 Bones of Eugene Aram. 67 Monkeys and Urari Poison. 101 Objects of the Exhibition at An Operation 102

Knaresborough.... 68 Hedgehogs and Hares..103 Knaresborough ChurchBells 69 Appeal to Travellers and Inscriptions on Bells... 70 Sportsmen 104 The old Bells at Knaresbo- Nature’s Happy Families. 105 Forest at Night 106 rough....... 71 A Primeval A Zoological Auction.. 72 Happiness...... 107 The old Surrey Gardens. 73 Petherick’s Hippopotamus. 108 . 109Curious Lots..... 4 A Cargo of Hippopotami The Pelican.... 75 Arrival of Hippopotami at The Monkeys.... 76 the Gardens 110

PAGE PAGE

The Traveller’s Bath..111 Prospects of Sport...145 Bangers from Hippopotami 112 A Giant Jack 14(1 Tossed by a Hippopotamus 113 Buried Treasure....147 Baby Hippopotami at Paris 114 Waiting till he’s Wanted. 148 Hough Dentistry....115 A Mud Bath 149 Chunie mad with Toothache 116 How to keep a Cool Head. 150 An animated Mountain..117 Telescopic vision in Jack. 151 The Elephant at Exeter A singular Advertisement. 152 ’Change 118 How the Eels bite....153 Protracted suffering...119 The vertebrae of Eels...154 Execution of Chunie...120 Strolling Actors....155 The Death of Chunie..121 Talent, Care, and Poverty. 156 The Wild Ducks’ Pond..122 Unrequited Industry..157 Horace “out of sorts”..123 Bringing down the House. 158 A Eresh-air Bath....124 Sevenpence halfpenny among Aldermaston Park...125 Nine....... 159 The Decoy 126 The Infant Cure....160 The Alarm 127 Courage under Difficulties. 161 A Lesson in Deportment. 128 Taking a Header....162 A tempting Invitation de- How to preserve Nets..163 clined 129 Ducks versus Trout...164 A Shot at the Wild Ducks. 130 Dressing a Wound...165 “ Something to lean his back Irish Bacon 166 against” 131 ’Merican Pigs.....167 Out after Ducks....132 Butchers and Bacon-dealers 168 In for a Ducking.... 133 Bird-catchers 169 Cow-boys, Screech-owls, and “The Stale” 170

Herons 134 Bird-lime 171 The Dawn of Day...135 The Call-bird 172 Giving them “ Toko ”..136 The Chaffinch’s Song..173 Teal and Widgeon...137 The young Pretenders..174 The Ambush signalled..138 Nightingale Catching..175 The King of the Pond..139 A Cure for Numb Lips..176 A “ Crop ” of Acorns.. 140 The Nightingale’s Note..177 Shooting a Jack....141 The Vauxhall Nightingale 178 Shots stopped by Water. 142 How Nightingales are Jack-fishing on the won. 143 Trapped 179 A Jibbing Mare....144 Poetical Allusions...180