Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1807 edition. Excerpt: ... of rain, and buried deep in the soil. They were not found together, but scattered at some distance from each other. The two tusks were twenty feet apart. I had often heard of the elephant's bones at Burton, but never saw them; and I have no books to refer to. I think I saw, in what is now called the National Museum at Paris, the very large bones of an elephant, which were found in North America: though it is certain that this enormous animal is never seen in its natural state, but in the countries under the torrid zone of the old world. I have, since making this note, been told that the bones of the rhinoceros and hippopotamus have been found in America. Page 28. Line 16. "--and in giants dwelling on the hills--" The peasants believe that the large bones sometimes found belonged to giants, who formerly lived on the hills. The devil also has a great deal to do with the remarkable forms of hill and vale: the Devil's Punch Bowl, the Devil's Leaps, and the Devil's Dyke, are names given to deep hollows, or high and abrupt ridges, in this and the neighbouring county. Page 29. Line 8. "The pirate Dane, who from his circular camp-- The incursions of the Danes were for many ages the scourge of this island. Line 12. "The savage native, who his acorn meal--" The Aborigines of this country lived in woods, unshiltered but by trees and caves; and were probably as truly savage as any of those who are now termed so. Page 30. Line 10. "Will from among the fescue bring him flowers--" The grass railed Sheep's Fescue, (Festuca ovina, ) clothes these Downs with the softest turf. ." some resembling bees In velvet vest intent on their sweet toil--Ophrys apifera, Bee Ophrys, or Orchis; found plentifully on the hills, as well as the next. Line 13. "While others...