A SQUIRREL'S FERRY-BOAT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SrR,—Writing on the above subject in the Spectator of the 16th inst., Mr. Harvey Dayton suggests that the story "may
have filtered down from some large natural history book of the eighteenth century." The following extracts from a seventeenth-century natural history book, Nicholas Cox's "Gentleman's Recreation," published in 1677, may interest him, and perhaps others of your readers
"Op THE &minas's—The first Author that ever wrote of this little Animal was Oppianus, who lived in the days of Antoninns Cmsar, and wrote a Book also of Hunting. A Squirrel is greater in compass than a Weasle, but the latter is longer than the other."
After describing the squirrel's colours at different ages, nesting methods, and "bow to hunt her," the chapter con- cludes :—
"The Admirable wit of the Squirrel appeareth (if it be true) in her swiseing or passing over a River; for when hunger con- straineth her so to do, she seeks out some Rind or small Bark of a Tree which she setteth upon the water, and then goeth into it, and holding up her Tail like a Sail, letteth the wind drive her to the other side; and carry meat in their mouths, to prevent Famine whatsoever should befal them."
The capitals are as in the origina.L—I am, Sir, &se,
9 Chester Place, Regent's Park. H. LooRwooD.
Previous page
