Curiosities of Natural History, Third Series

272 the tiger’s clavicle imperfect.

in proportion to his stupendous muscular development and the massive conformation of his bones.

In the books on natural history to which I have

looked, with reference to the presence of collar-bones in the tiger, no mention whatever is made of the fact, except by Professor Bell, who, in his Bridgewater Treatise on the Hand, writes as follows: “ There is also a certain degree of freedom in the anterior extremity of the cat, dog, marten, and bear; they strike with the paw, and rotate the wrist more or less extensively, and they have therefore a clavicle, though an imperfect one. In some of these, even in the lion, the bone which has the place of the clavicle is very imperfect indeed, and if

attached to the shoulders it does not extend to the sternum; it is concealed in the flesh, and is like the mere rudiments of the bone; but however imperfect, it marks a correspondence in the bones of the shoulder to those of the arm and paw, and the extent of motion

enjoyed.”

EFFECTS OF VALERIAN ON TIGERS.

In “ Land and Water,” No. 14, April 28, 1866, my

friend, E. Blyth, Esq., writes in reference to destroying the tigers which kill so many natives in Singapore

By experiments which I have tried, I have discovered that the feline genus generally is affected by the odour of valerian

even as is the common domestic cat. The essential oil of valerian affords the most convenient form of administering it. Now as a tiger usually returns to the carcase of an animal which it has killed, if too large to he carried off, what more easy than to drop a little oil of valerian about it, and for a gunner on the watch to take advantage of the beast when its attention is utterly absorbed in inhaling the odour which produces so singular an effect? I have witnessed this effect upon tigers to such an extent, that I am convinced they might be destroyed when in that delirious ecstasy with very little hazard. Let us hope that the experiment may be tried.

Mr. Austen having read this, at once put the experi- “ Land andment to the test, and reported w follows in Water ” I have been enabled to try the effects of valerian on feline and other animals, and to compare the results produced. It appeared to have the strongest influence on the lion, tiger, and jaguar; these animals, when a drop was spilt on a piece of paper and placed in their cage,

rolled over it in a state of the utmost apparent enjoyment, the males in all cases manifesting a stronger partiality than the opposite sex, and evincing the greatest recognition of its presence. The leopard, puma, and clouded tiger (Felis macrocelis) took less notice, and the cheetahs appeared to dislike the smell, their olfactory organs appearing in this way to resemble those of dogs, which dislike the scent of valerian as much as the true feline tribes enjoy it. The caracal and ocelots showed an especial liking, and were most demonstrative in their

SER. III. T

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-274 effect OF VALEEIAN ON SKUNKS.

manifestations of pleasure. I tried the effect subsequently on various species of bears, but without causing any material symptoms of excitement, though an Indian sloth bear waddled about at a great rate, and rubbed himself vigorously against the bars of his cage when he smelt it. A female skunk scuttled round and round and ran backwards in a most ludicrous manner, as soon as she perceived it, and judging from her demonstrations of joy, appeared to think it in some way akin to the natural perfume of her species. Domestic cats, as is well known, will break down and roll upon valerian plants in gardens, and a trap rubbed with a leaf or two will surely entice any luckless pussy who may pass that way. There is an old distich moreover in reference to planting it, which runs thus

If you sow it, the cat will know it If you set it, the cat will eat it.

As this valerian plant appears to exercise such an

influence over the naturally ferocious natures of the formidable tribe of cats, it might have a powerful effect in rendering lions and tigers docile in captivity, and would cause the position of a man entering their cage much safer than it sometimes appears to be.

!

27*

FOXES.

We are too much in the habit of hunting, shooting, destroying, or otherwise tormenting the living representatives of the fauns and satyrs of our woods, lanes, and hedges. How much greater would be the pleasure if we watched them a little more, and observed their instincts and their habits

There are great disputes among philosophers as to the nice distinctions between reason and instinct. We want an animal Lavater, who, from the physiognomy of animals’ faces, would tell us what kind of mind, whether ferocious, tameable, cunning, or stupid, the animal under examination ought to possess. This great philosopher has, indeed, made a few observations on the point. Thus, he remarks, “ The skull of the dog speaks, as I may say, determinate powers of sense. The throat is rather that of tranquil than cruel or ravenous appetite, though it participates in both. I imagine I discover in the eye-bone and its relative proportion to the nose a degree of fidelity and sincerity. Though the difference between the wolf and the dog is small, still it is remark -

t 2

able. The concavity of the skull, the convexity above the eye-bones, the straight lines from thence to the nose, denote more hasty motion. The under jaw has likewise the stamp of malignity.” Here, then, is a problem for the reader. Let him imagine himself in bodily presence in “Scholis mathematicis et physicis,” at Oxford, with those fearful instruments of torture—two new pens, a sheet of unstained blotting-paper, and painfully blank sheets of foolscap—before him, the outer sheet being headed with questions such as follows:—

1. Describe accurately the physiognomy of the fox as compared to that of the laughing hyæna. 2. Compare the habits of the tame pet fox at New College with that of the fox which Jim Hills, of the Heythrop Hunt, lost at Tarwood. 3. Translate into Greek iambics*

When he got unto his den, Where were his little cubs, Eight, nine, ten.

• Since the first edition of this book was published, I have received from C. W. Goodhart, Esq., of 1 Chesham-road, Brighton, the following, which shows he has taken me at my word. The translation is very good, and I feel much obliged to him:—

Ἡ δ’ οὖν ἀλώπηξ ἄντρον, ἀρχαῖον δόμον, Εἰσῆλθ’, ὅπου ’τράφησαν, εὐφιλῆ βρέφη, Ὀκτώ, πατρός τε δεκατὸν εὔρινος κάρα. Κἀκεῖ, φαεινὸν ἐξαποσπάσας ξίφος, Τὸν χῆνα χαίρων πάντ’ ἐμίστυλλεν πατήρ. Κἀλωπεκιδέων εὐθὺς ἐξ ὁμογνίων Οὐδεὶς ὃς οὐκ ἔμαρψεν ὀστέον γνάθοις.

!

He cut up the goose With his pocket-knife, And the little ones scrambled For the bones, oh

4. Who was the author of the above poem? and state your grounds for belief that the fox referred to resided in Bagley Wood, near Oxford. 5. State the arguments you would use to the Censor of Christ Church that a fox was not a dog, and that, therefore, the fines “ for having a dog in your room ” were not applicable to your fox. 6. Prove by the rules of Aristotle “ that vulpicide is murder,” and is punishable accordingly by the laws of

Squirearchy. 7. Why do German students call a freshman a “ fbx? ” What is the name of the plant that smells like a fox? Who was the Frenchman who hallooed the hounds to a squirrel? 8. Translate into Greek, after the manner of Herodotus, the following true and authentic story of the American fox-hunt, and state who you conceive to be

the author of it: “ A certain Jonathan being determined to open his public-house with a sensation scene, advertised that a fox-hunt would take place on the premises, and invited customers to bring their own hounds. They arrived accordingly in multitudes, and having performed libations of beer, proceeded to the sport. The fox was

forthwith let loose, seeing which, the customers also loosed their dogs, which were of divers sorts and colours. One of these, being a fierce and rabid animal, not knowing the cause of his liberation, attacked another dog, upon which the masters of the dogs, having wasted many words, set to fighting also. The others then seeing the tumult, also engaged in fight, and much was y Jie blood that fell from their noses, and great was the darkness that suddenly overshadowed their eyes. The dogs, too, of the various combatants also immediately fought with bloodshed one against the other. The fox in the meantime, seeing this and being a tame fox, sought not to escape from his enemies, but sitting-up on his haunches, a little distance off, witnessed the combat, and laughed heartily.”

This account of the American fox-hunt I havo from the highest authority, and it is worthy of record.

While the reader is answering these questions on paper, your humble servant will proceed to say somewhat about the animal itself. In the first place, it is not often easy to see a fox in his native covert, though you may know there are several about; failing this, good practice in observation may be obtained by examining his footprints, and concluding from their appearance what the fox has been about. In order to do this, soft mould or sand should be scattered about the place where the fox is likely to come, and you will thence

;

learn the difference between the track of a dog and of a fox. I shall here give the notes on this point of an observer, who wrote a valuable book, entitled the “ Vermin Catcher,” in 1768. He says:— " It may not here be unnecessary to lay down some rules to distinguish the dog-fox from his wife, which may easily be done without seeing them, by adhering ta the following observations A dog-fox has a larger foot than a vixen, and it much resembles that of a small lurcher-dog, and has often been mistaken for one by those who do not examine things minutely; but there is an essential difference, for the fox has hardly any ball to the heel of his foot, but the dog has a large one and the female fox has likewise a small foot, with the

ball thereof still considerably less than the male.” Here, then, is a nice amusement for those who have the good fortune to live where foxes are about, and are willing to improve their woodcraft.^

It is not uncommon to hear of three-legged foxes

• In Boner’s “Forest Creatures” (Longmans, 1861) will ba found some admirable woodcuts representing the “slots” or footsteps of the stag, the hind, &c., when going at various paces. The science of Ichnology, or comparison of footsteps, I dearly love to study at the Zoological Gardens, early in the morning, when the snow has fallen. In his admirable pictures of animals, Keidinger generally gives at the bottom of the print drawings of the footsteps of animals when going at different paces. Thus, “ Gefahrt des fliichtigen Hirschen. Die Fahrte eines trachtigen Thiers. Spur des Lowens.”

being killed. The cause of the loss of the third foot is generally a trap, and I am convinced that the story of foxes gnawing off their foot is true. It may be urged that the pain of the self-amputation would prevent the ffix from doing this; but it must be recollected that the trap, having cut off all circulation from the lower part of the foot, the latter would become dead, and numb

to all feeling. My friend, Mr. Bartlett, tells me a story relating to this point. He once had a fox consigned to him for stuffing, which had only three legs. When he sent the animal home, the gentleman to whom it belonged was much surprised to find the fox had four legs, and that the missing one had been restored. He asked Mr. Bartlett how this was, and he gave the following explanation. When he came to dissect the fox he examined the contents of his stomach, and found in it the missing foot, much gnawed by the teeth, but still perfect enough to enable him to prepare it and restore it to its proper position. It was quite evident that the fox had bitten his foot off, and, in his agony, had