The Tower Menagerie : $b comprising the natural history of the animals contained in that establishment; with anecdotes of their characters and history.Bennett, Edward Turner
History
The Tower Menagerie : $b comprising the natural history of the animals contained in that establishment; with anecdotes of their characters and history.
With regard to the sub-orbital sinus, which in this and all the
neighbouring species is of very considerable size, its uses are evidently
connected with the function of respiration, and probably also with the
sense of smell. It is denoted externally by a longitudinal fissure,
placed beneath the inner angle of each of the eyes, and leading into a
sac or cavity, which in some cases communicates internally with the nose;
and its inner surface is lined by a membrane abundantly supplied with
follicles for the secretion of mucus, which is sometimes produced in very
large quantities. This latter circumstance has induced some naturalists
to regard these openings as mere cuticular appendages. That they really,
in some species at least, communicate with the nostrils, is proved by the
observations of Mr. White of Selbourne, who states that in consequence
of this communication the Fallow-Deer are enabled to take long-continued
draughts with their noses deeply immersed in the water, the air in the
mean time passing through the sub-orbital slits. So singular a statement
was naturally enough doubted and called in question; but it has never,
so far as we know, been impugned on ocular testimony; while it has
received the fullest confirmation from other observations made upon the
very species now under consideration, in which the air passing from the
sub-orbital sinus, while the animal drinks, may be felt by the hand, and
even affects the flame of a candle. Another proof of the connexion of
these cavities with the nose is derived from the fact that the animals
which are provided with them frequently apply their orifices, equally
with those of the nostrils, to the food which they are about to take,
opening and shutting them with great rapidity.
The subject of the present article, which, like all the rest of the minor
group of which he forms a part, is a native of India and of the Indian
Islands, was a present to his Majesty, who kept him for some time, in
company with another of the same species, at large in the great park
at Windsor. As both, however, happened to be males, they disagreed so
violently, and their quarrels at length rose to such a pitch, that in
order to preserve peace it was found absolutely necessary to separate
them; and our animal, as the most outrageous of the two, was dismissed
the royal service, and condemned to the captivity of the Tower. Since
this period he has become exceedingly tame, the cause of his former ill
temper being removed, and demeans himself as quietly as the most harmless
and gentlest of his tribe.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
THE INDIAN ANTELOPE.
_ANTILOPE CERVICAPRA._ PALL.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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