ehensible than the
transformation of caterpillars into butterflies; see Botanic
Garden, Vol. I. Additional Note XXXIX.]

VI. "The Demon, Jealousy, with Gorgon frown
Blasts the sweet flowers of Pleasure not his own,
Rolls his wild eyes, and through the shuddering grove
Pursues the steps of unsuspecting Love; 310
Or drives o'er rattling plains his iron car,
Flings his red torch, and lights the flames of war.

Here Cocks heroic burn with rival rage,
And Quails with Quails in doubtful fight engage;
Of armed heels and bristling plumage proud,
They sound the insulting clarion shrill and loud,
With rustling pinions meet, and swelling chests,
And seize with closing beaks their bleeding crests;
Rise on quick wing above the struggling foe,
And aim in air the death-devoting blow. 320
There the hoarse stag his croaking rival scorns,
And butts and parries with his branching horns;
Contending Boars with tusk enamell'd strike,
And guard with shoulder-shield the blow oblique;
While female bands attend in mute surprise,
And view the victor with admiring eyes.--

[Footnote: _There the hoarse stag_, l. 321. A great want of
one part of the animal world has consisted in the desire of
the exclusive possession of the females; and these have
acquired weapons to combat each other for this purpose, as
the very thick shield-like horny skin on the shoulder of the
boar is a defence only against animals of his own species,
who strike obliquely upwards, nor are his tushes for other
purposes, except to defend himself, as he is not naturally a
carnivorous animal. So the horns of the stag are sharp to
offend his adversary, but are branched for the purpose of
parrying or receiving the thrusts of horns similar to his
own, and have therefore been formed for the purpose of
combating other stags for the exclusive possession of the
females, who are observed, like the ladies in the times of
chivalry, to attend the car of the victor.

The birds, which do not carry food to their young, and do not
therefore marry, are armed with spurs for the purpose of
fighting for the exclusive possession of the females, as
cocks and quails. It is certain that these weapons are not