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FASCINATING POWER OF SERPENTS.

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birds, supposed to be fascinated, originated in an endeavour to protect their nest or young.

The rattle-snake does not climb trees; but many other species do. When a bird sees its well-known enemy gliding up the tree to attack its nest and devour its young, it naturally endeavours to defend them; and she attacks the snake with her wing, her beak, or her claws, and frequently drives it away, although sometimes she approaches so near as to fall a prey to her enemy. This contest is by no means so unequal as might be supposed. The bone on the top of the head of the rattle-snake is thin and brittle; so much so that it is thought that a stroke from the wing of a thrush or robin would be sufficient to break it. A thrush was observed seated on the back of a large black snake, which it was pecking with its beak. The snake was in the act of swallowing a young bird; and as soon as the snake was killed, the old bird flew away. The cries and actions of this bird exactly resembled those ascribed to fascination. The rattle-snake lives chiefly on the great frog (Rana ocellata), and birds are very rarely found in its stomach. Birds and squirrels are by no means the principal food of serpents; and yet this influence is chiefly exerted upon them: so it can hardly be considered as designed to secure food for these reptiles. The black snake is often obliged to use great ingenuity to get at his food, which consists chiefly of eggs and young birds. If it possessed the power of fascination, it might secure for itself abundance of food, when the woods are swarming with birds, without having recourse to the artifice of suspending itself by its tail from a bough over a nest, the contents of which could not be reached by it in any other way.

[It seems strange that this extraordinary faculty should have been ascribed solely to these already formidable reptiles, when the cries of distress and the signs of alarm, which gave rise to the story, are really to be referred to the love of the mother for her young, and to the fear of death; feelings which must be continually operating in every animal at the sight of another, whose appetite is to be satisfied only by her own destruction.

Fear sometimes entirely deprives an animal of the power of escape. I have seen a Spanish greyhound so overwhelmed with dread at the sight of a terrier, which was flying at it, that it appeared as if under the influence of fascination, stood perfectly still, neglecting its swiftness of foot, which would soon have placed it out of danger, and would have fallen a victim to its antagonist, had not the latter been arrested by the blow of a heavy stick.]-From a Correspondent.

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MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS.

We have inserted the foregoing abstract of Dr. Barton's paper, in the hope that some of our readers will favour us with their observations on this interesting subject. We cannot agree in all the conclusions drawn by the Doctor, and have reason to question the accuracy of some of his facts.-We are inclined to think that he has not dissected the head of a rattle-snake, or he would have discovered that the bone on the top of the head is not "so thin and brittle that it is thought that a stroke from the wing of a thrush or robin would be sufficient to break it." At the same time we must admit that there is considerable weight in the reasons he gives ir. support of his explanation of this singular supposed faculty. EDITOR.

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MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS..

We propose occasionally to present our readers with short memoirs of the most distinguished naturalists, and of persons who have, either by their discoveries or their scientific attainments, made valuable additions to our knowledge of zoology, or have contributed to the advancement of any branch of natural history.

Foremost in the rank of such persons, we must place the subject of the present memoir, who may claim our attention not on any one of these grounds singly, but on all of them. He united a love of science with an earnest zeal and steady perseverance in its pursuit; an energetic and courageous disposition, combined with ample pecuniary resources, and the friendship and patronage of those in power, and thus possessed qualifications seldom met with in one individual.

These numerous advantages were well bestowed on Sir Joseph Banks. In all his undertakings the chief objec he had in view was the general advancement of science, and particularly his favourite study, natural history. Totally free from all selfish feelings he seems ever to have considered his acquisitions and discoveries as public property; and his splendid library and magnificent collection of specimers and drawings were always at the service of scientific men. Indeed the unbounded generosity with which he communicated his treasures to those whom he considered would duly appreciate them, may be considered as a remarkable trait in his character. -But we feel that we are anticipating, and that we ought to state shortly, the history of this enterprising individual, before we offer any further remarks.

Sir Joseph Banks was born 13th December, 1743. Some doubt appears to exist as to the period at which his ancestors

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(who are stated to have come originally from Sweden,) had been settled in this country. It seems, however, agreed, that his grandfather was a medical practitioner of some celebrity in Lincolnshire, and that he acquired a considerable fortune by his practice, and represented the city of Peterborough in one or two parliaments.

The subject of our present memoir was sent at an early age to Harrow, and from thence to Christ's College Oxford. His father dying in or before 1761, he was left at the age of, eighteen, without restraint, with a handsome fortune at his own disposal. His principal estates were situated in Lincolnshire, and he devoted himself with great zeal to the improvement of this property, particularly in draining and embanking it.

Sir Joseph appears at an early age to have imbibed a taste for natural history. At first botany was his favourite pursuit, and he seems to have cultivated this study with a considerable degree of ardour. It is related that in the course of one of his botanical expeditions, when much fatigued he fell asleep, and was seized by police officers as a suspected person, and taken before a magistrate, who was not a little amused at the adventure.

In 1768 the scientific expedition under the command of Captain Cook was planned; and although the chief object which the promoters (of whom George III. was the chief,) had in view was the advancement of geographical and astronomical knowledge, Sir Joseph Banks was anxious to avail himself of the opportunity of adding to the stores of natural history; and, influenced by this motive, he resolved to accompany the expedition. Accordingly he made the most ample preparations, at his own expense, for the undertaking, and engaged Dr. Solander and other scientific persons to accompany him.

Most of our readers are no doubt acquainted with the interesting discoveries and amusing adventures which resulted from this expedition. Many will remember with what delight they first read the history of Captain Cook's voyages; and throughout this history they will no doubt recollect the frequent and honourable mention of the subject of our present memoir, and the justly earned tribute paid to the great zeal and activity displayed by him throughout the progress of the voyage.

As might be expected, they met with many interesting adventures in the course of their travels. On the coast of Terra del Fuego Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander narrowly escaped perishing in a storm of snow in which they were

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compelled to pass the night on shore. A seaman and a black servant who accompanied them fell victims to the excessive fatigue and cold; and it was with considerable difficulty that Dr. Solander was rescued from a similar fate. Indeed the

ultimate escape and safety of the party was attributed to the energy and presence of mind which Sir Joseph displayed under the very trying circumstances in which they were placed.

In proceeding from thence, many valuable acquisitions were made of ornithological specimens, and it is particularly recorded that Sir Joseph Banks in the course of one day killed as many as sixty-two birds with his own hand, of which number a great proportion had till then been undescribed.

The expedition arrived at Otaheite in April 1769. They remained there three months, and Sir Joseph Banks, on account of his many useful and agreeable qualities, became a general favourite. His energetic character again displayed itself in many instances, particularly in recovering the quadrant which had been stolen by some of the natives, and the loss of which would have proved of very serious consequence to the main object of the expedition.

From Otaheite they proceeded to New Zealand, and to the eastern coast of New Holland, which they called New South Wales. The well known name of Botany Bay was also given by them, in consequence of the numerous botanical specimens collected there by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander. Whilst at New South Wales a very mortifying accident occurred, which destroyed a great part of the valuable and interesting collection, in obtaining which so much time and labour had been expended. The vessel struck upon a rock, and was considerably damaged; and afterwards, whilst undergoing repair, still further mischief was occasioned by the rushing in of the sea. It may readily be conceived how acutely these disasters were felt by the subject of our present

memoir.

The expedition afterwards sailed for New Guinea, and on their return touched at Batavia, where a great part of the crew perished from fever. In June 1771 the vessel arrived in the Downs, and Sir Joseph Banks was welcomed home by numerous friends and admirers of his public and scientific character. He received from all the celebrated literary characters, and from the public in general, the respect due to his talents and his energy.

Another expedition was projected under Captain Cook in 1772, in search of the Southern continent; and Sir Joseph Banks made great preparations, and intended to have again

MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEH BANKS.

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joined the party, but owing to circumstances connected with the vessel, he altered his determination, and did not accompany the expedition. His active mind could not, however, remain long unemployed, and he determined on a voyage to Iceland and the Western Islands of Scotland, as well for the purpose of making scientific researches as of giving employment to those persons whom he had engaged under the expectation of joining the expedition under Captain Cook last alluded to. In the course of this voyage Sir Joseph Banks visited Staffa, and explored the Cave of Fingal (then almost unknown), and other curiosities. On reaching Iceland they commenced their researches, and made many valuable additions to what was then known of the products of this island. They also reached the summit of Mount Hecla, after an arduous journey of twelve days.

After the return of Sir Joseph Banks from this expedition he did not again leave his native shore, but continued to reside at home, extending his valuable collection of specimens in all the branches of natural history, and applying his scientific and experienced mind to a variety of subjects connected with his favourite study. His house became the general resort for scientific characters from all countries, and he himself was visited by persons of all ranks.

In 1777, on the retirement of Sir John Pringle, Sir Joseph Banks was appointed President of the Royal Society. That he was qualified to fill this important station seems to have been generally admitted; and although it would show a want of candour and impartiality if we did not state, that some faults were occasionally discovered in the conduct of Sir Joseph as President, yet upon the whole we believe we are justified in saying, that he presided over this learned Society with great credit to himself, and great advantage to the institution.

It was not until 1781 that he was created a baronet. We have been therefore rather inaccurate in speaking of him as Sir Joseph Banks prior to this period. He was subsequently created a Knight of the Bath. He took an active part in the foundation of the African Association, and was also one of the chief promoters or founders of the Horticultural Society.

He died 19th May, 1820, at his house in Soho Square, having bequeathed his valuable museum for the benefit of hist country, and which now forms a valuable part of the British Museum.

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