It is generally conceded that parrots in India and Central and South America range from 100, 300, and even to 500 years.

Several authorities affirm that swans frequently reach 200 years.

The historian Tacitus tells us that in his time eagles lived to be 500 years old; and only a few years since an eagle living in confinement, died at Vienna 104.

The distinguished Hufeland gives us the following: "A gentleman at London a few years ago received from the Cape of Good Hope one (a falcon) that had been caught with a golden collar, on which was inscribed in English, 'His Majesty K. James of England. An. 1610.' It had therefore been at liberty 182 years from the time of its escape. How old was it when it escaped? It was of the largest species of these birds, and possessed still no little strength and spirit; but it was remarked that its eyes were blind and dim, and that the feathers of its neck had become white."

If a lion, as stated by Dr. Lacy Evans, lived 70 years in the Tower, it may be inferred that if allowed to roam the forest it would live a century.

Camels frequently attain to the age of 50, 75 and 100 years. Watching and studying the characteristics of these patient, yet stupidly stolid, beasts of burden in Asia Minor and Egypt, I have wondered at their endurance.

The elephants of Ceylon attain to a very great age. It is said that they grow for 30 or 40 years, and live 200, 300 or even 500 years.

The elephant called Hannibal, connected with a traveling circus here in America, and dying in 1859, was extremely old; some say 700 years.

After Alexander the Great had vanquished Porus, King of India, he took a large elephant which had fought valiantly in the battle for the king, and called him Ajax, dedicating him to the sun, and setting him free with the following inscription: "Alexander, the son of Jupiter, hath dedicated Ajax to the sun." This elephant was found 350 years afterwards with the inscription.

A noted Englishman, Sir R. Phillips, gives the minute history of a tortoise that lived 220 years.

Why should not man, crowned with reason, live as long as the tortoise and the elephant, governed only by instinct?