_Of the Lyon_, &c.
Nature has bestowed in the distribution of her various gifts, some
characterestic badge to every animal, by which they know and are
known to each other; and by which they are conversible with, or
envious to one another. Sociability, or the love of herding, is not
so peculiar to man, as man would boast. Lyons, horses, dogs, Cats,
and the other species are as fond of forming colonies as we are.
And yet in contradistinction to this principle, we see the Lion
chase the _Jack-all_ for his caterer. The _Jack-all_, says _Pliny_,
is endowed with the most excellent nose to investigate the paths
of those weak, or timorous beasts, which are the Lion’s prey. This
scent renders him the more useful to his friend the _Lyon_, whom he
_leads by the nose_ to a herd of deer or oxen. The Lyon, wanting
this fine scent, and convinced of his deficience, takes into his
familiarity, and confidence, this weak animal, who makes use of the
other’s strength, and from his own inability in personal prowess,
compensates the loss by the admirable organization of his odorific
nerves. Thus, in like manner, the Pilot-fish conveys the Shark to his
prey: And I have read in some learned antiquary of a bird, called
the _Tooth-pick_, which lives on the leavings of the _Crocodile_, who
having filled his belly with what fish he can pick up in the _Nile_,
lies on his back, on the banks of that river, and basks himself with
delight, while this bird, guided by instinct, and no way afraid of
his terrors, perches on his teeth, and from the gleanings feeds
himself to satiety. We ought not in this detail omit to take notice
of the _Fly-eater_, who puts his tongue out, till several thousand
flies, have in swarms covered it, and when he perceives it to be
pretty well stocked, all on a sudden introduces the cargo, where it
is fairly entered; and this trick he plays for several hours, till
the custom-house can hold no more.