[k] Pliny gives an Instance in each. L. 10. c. 69. Aqullæ clariùs cernunt [quàm homines;] Vultures sagaciùs odorantur: liquidiùs audiunt Talpæ obrutæ terrâ, tam denso atque surdo naturæ elemento.
[l] The Doubling of the Hare, before she goes to Form, thereby to dodge and deceive the Dogs, although a vulgar Observation, is a notable Instinct for an Animal, less fam’d for Cunning than the Fox, and some others.
[m] It is natural for many Quadrupeds, Birds and Serpents, not only to put on a torvous angry Aspect, when in Danger; but also to snarl, hiss, or by some other Noise deter their Adversary.
[n] The Iynx, or Wryneck, although a Bird of very beautiful Feathers, and consequently far enough off from being any way terrible; yet being in Danger, hath such odd Contortions of its Neck, and Motions of its Head, that I remember have scar’d me, when I was a Boy, from taking their Nests, or touching the Bird; daring no more to venture my Hand into their Holes, than if a Serpent had lodged in it.
[o] Bonasus tuetur se calcibus & stercore, quòd ab se quaternis passibus [trium jugerum longitudine. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 15.] ejaculatur, quod sæpe comburit adeò ut deglabrentur canes. Ray’s Synops. Quadr. p. 71.
Camelus Peruvianus Clama dictus neminem offendit, sed miro admodum ingenio se ab iliatâ vindicat injuriâ, nimirum vomitæ vel cibi, vel humoris in vexantem retrarsum cum impetu ejaculato, ob protensam colli longitudinem. Id. ib. p. 146.
Tzquiepatl (Anglicè Squnck Præf. and one that I saw they call’d a Stonck.) Cùm quis eam insectatur, fundit cum ventris crepitu halitum fœtidissimum: quin ipsa tota teterrimum exhalat odorem, & urina stercusque est fœtidissimum, atque adeò pestilens, ut nihil sit reperire in nostro orbe, cui in hâc re possit comparari: quo fit, ut in periculo constituta, urinam & fæces ad 8 pluriumve passuum intervallum ejiciat, hoc modo se ab omnibus vindicans injuriit, ac vestes inficiens maculis luteis indelibilibus, & nunquam satis perspirante odore: aliàs innoxium Animal eduleque, hæc solâ ratione horrendissimum. Id. ib. p. 182.
Si Accipiter Ardeam in sublimi molestat, stercore immisso in pennas ejus, eas putrescere facit: utì Solinus scribis de Bonaso, &c. Ita & Lupus urinam spargit in persequentem. Ol. Mag. Hist. l. 19. c. 14.
[p] Thus against the Crocodile, which can catch its Prey only before it, not on one Side. So the Shark, of which take my often-commended Friend Sir Hans Sloane’s Observation: It hath this particular to it, with some others of its own Tribe; that the Mouth is in its under Part, so that it must turn the Belly upwards to Prey. And was it not for that Time it is in turning, in which the pursu’d Fishes escape, there would be nothing that could avoid it; for it is very quick in Swimming, and hath a vast Strength, with the largest Swallow of any Fish, and is very devouring. Sloane’s Voyage to Jamaica, p. 23.