and endeavour to throw the rider.

Blows or coaxing are frequently alike ineffectual; they continue obstinate and restif.

If we examine the different heads of horses, we shall find, that all cheerful, high-spirited, capricious, courageous horses, have the nosebone of the profile convex; and that most of the vicious, restif, and idle, have the same bone flat or concave. In the eyes, mouth, and especially in the nostrils and jawbones, are remarkable varieties, concerning which I shall say nothing. I shall here add some remarks on the horse communicated by a friend.

The grey is the tenderest of horses, and we may here add, that people with light hair, if not effeminate, are yet, it is well known, of tender formation and constitution. The chesnut and iron grey, the black, and bay, are hardy; the sorrel are the most hardy, and yet the most subject to disease. The sorrel, whether well or ill formed, is treacherous. All treacherous horses lay their ears in the neck. They stare and stop, and lay down their ears alternately.

The following passage, on the same subject, is cited from another writer: "When a horse has broad, long, widely separated, hanging ears, we are well assured he is bad and sluggish. If he lays down his ears alternately, he is fearful, and apt to start. Thin, pointed, and projecting ears, on the contrary, denote a horse of good disposition."

We never find that the thick, hog necked

horse is sufficiently tractable for the riding house, or that he is of a strong nature when the tail shakes, like the tail of a dog. We may be certain, that a horse with large cheerful eyes, and a fine shining coat, if we have no other tokens, is of a good constitution and understanding.

These remarks are equally applicable to oxen and sheep, and probably to all other animals. The white ox is not so long serviceable, for draught or labour, as the black or red: he is more weak and silly than these. A sheep with short legs, strong neck, broad back, and cheerful eyes, is a good breeder, and remains peaceably with the flock. I am clearly of opinion, that if we may judge of the internal by the external of beasts, men may be judged of in the

same manner.

CHAP. XLI.

Of Birds, Fishes, Serpents, and Insects.

BIRDS.

BIRDS, whether compared to each other, or to other creatures, have their distinct characters. The structure of birds throughout, is lighter than that of quadrupeds. Nature, ever steadfast to truth, thus manifests herself in the form of birds. Their necks are more pliant, their heads smaller, their mouths more pointed, and their garb more light and strong than those of quadrupeds.

Their distinction of character, or gradation of passive and active power, is expressed by the following physiognomonical varieties:

1. By the form of the scull. The more flat the scull, the more weak, flexible, tender, and sensible is the character of the animal. This flatness contains less, and resists less.

2. By the length, breadth, and arching, or obliquity of their beaks. And here again we find, when there is arching, there is a greater extent of docility and capacity.

3. By the eyes, which appear to have an exact correspondence with the arching of the beak. 4. Particularly by the middle line, I cannot say of the mouth, but what is analogous to the mouth, the beak; the obliquity of which is ever in a remarkable proportion with the outline of the profile of the head.

Who can behold the eagle hovering in the air the powerful lord of so many creatures, without perceiving the seal, the native star of royalty, in his piercing round eye, the form of his head, his strong wings, his talons of brass, and, in his whole form, his victorious strength, his con temptuous arrogance, his fearful cruelty, and his ravenous propensity?

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Consider the eyes of all living creatures, the eagle to the mole; where else can be found that lightning glance, which defies the rays of the sun? Where that capacity for the reception of light? How truly, how emphatically, to all who will hear and understand, is the majesty of his kingly character visible, not alone in his

burning eye, but in the outline of what is analogous to the eyebone, and in the skin of the head, where anger and courage are seated! But, throughout his whole form, where are they not?

Compare the vulture with the eagle, and who

does not observe, in his lengthened neck and beak, and in his more extended form, less power and nobility than in the eagle? In the head of the owl, the ignoble greedy prey; in the dove, mild, humble timidity; and in the swan, more nobility than in the goose, with less power than in the eagle, and tenderness than in the dove; more pliability than in the ostrich; and, in the wild duck, a more savage animal than in the swan, without the force of the eagle?

Fish.

How different is the profile of a fish from that of a man! How much the reverse of human perpendicularity! How little is there of countenance when compared to the lion! How visible is the want of mind, reflection, and cunning! What little or no analogy to forehead! What an impossibility of covering or entirely closing the eyes! The eye itself is merely circular and prominent, has nothing of the lengthened form of the eye of the fox or elephant.

Serpents.

I will allow physiognomy, when applied to man, to be a false science, if any being throughout nature can be discovered void of physiogno

my, or a countenance which does not express its character. What has less, yet more physiognomy, than the serpent? May we not perceive init tokens of cunning and treachery? Certainly not a trace of understanding or deliberate plan. No memory, no comprehension, but the most unbounded craft and falsehood. How are these reprobate qualities distinguished in their forms? The very play of their colours, and wonderful meandering of their spots, appear to announce and to warn us of their deceit.

All men possessed of real power are upright and honest; craft is but the substitute of power. I do not here speak of the power contained in the folds of the serpent; they all want the power to act immediately, without the aid of cunning. They are formed to "bruise the heel, and to have the head bruised." The judgment which God has pronounced against them is written on their flat, impotent forehead, mouth, and eyes.

Insects.

How inexpressibly various are the characteristics impressed by the eternal Creator on all living beings! How has he stamped on each its legible and peculiar properties! How especially visible is this in the lowest classes of animal life! The world of insects is a world of itself. The distance between this and the world of men I own is great; yet, were it sufficiently known, how useful would it be to human physiognomy!