The genus equus is of a similar nature. Policy forbids the horse to become an article of food; yet, among the Tartar hordes, the horse and the mule also are articles of diet; probably in their younger state. The Mongul and Tungusian Tartars admire the flesh of the equus hemionus, which ranges in a wild state, between the borders of Thibet and China. Even the ass, in its younger period, is, we believe, occasionally eaten. The zebra has never been an article of diet.

The hippopotamus connects the horse and the hog. Both its species, the one resembling the horse, h. am-phibius, the other more nearly approaching the sow, are eaten; the first by the Africans, particularly the Ethiopians; the second by the inhabitants of the shores of the vast river of the Amazons, where the animal abounds. Either would scarcely suit an European palate, as the flesh is dry and coriaceous.

The feet of the hog are more minutely divided, and, as an aliment, it is gross, often indigestible. It has been considered as peculiarly aphrodisiac, though without sufficient foundation. Linnaeus once supposed it particularly injurious in occasioning a relapse of intermittent fevers, for this was the meaning of an obscure phrase in the system of nature, cinconae criticis obest. The suspicion however seems void of any foundation, and in the later editions it is, we see, omitted. The Chinese variety is the most delicate in flavour, but each is gross, and in weak stomachs occasions inconvenience.

The Guinea pig has, within our own knowledge, formed an article of diet, but was not highly relished. The s. tajassa, the Pecary, or Mexican hog, is said to be alimentary, if eaten immediately after the animal is killed. It is a more cleanly animal, and feeds, at least in part, on grain and fruit; partly indeed on reptiles and serpents. The Ethiopian hog has, we believe, been never eaten: the 8. baby russa, the Indian hog, which nearly equals a stag in size, is said to afford a good food.

The feet are still more divided in the glires; and they afford in few instances either a wholesome or a delicate nutriment. The hare forms the chief exception; which is easily digestible, and when young a delicate and light food. The rabbit merits similar commendations; and authors have styled it a soluble meat. But on this point we have our doubts; and should it ever be so, the animal must be young. The flesh of the Alpine hare, as well as of the Russian rabbit, is less delicate; but that of the small hare of Chili is said to be of a superior flavour. There are some other species, of which we have received no information. The genus hystrix must be next mentioned. It resembles the hog; and the crested as well as the Brazilian porcupine arc said to afford a salutary nutriment. The h. dorsata and macrocoura seem never to have been used as food. The species of cavia resemble, in qualities and flavour, the rabbit. The c. acuschy and aguti, with its varieties, are most commended. The c. capybara is of a less delicate kind. The genus hyrax is nearly connected with the cavis, but neither of the species have supplied any nation with aliment.

The beaver, of which we have already spoken, connects the caviac with the mures; and the mus coypus greatly resembles it; but we cannot find that it has been ever oaten. The other species of mus are so disgusting in their appearance and manners, that they have been eaten only from necessity. We have seen more than one person who has declared, that young mice and rats are little inferior to rabbits; but we doubt their having employed them as food, and perhaps

Rats and mice, and such small deer, Have been Tom's food for seven long year, may be considered as a poetical hyperbole to enhance the supposed misery of poor Tom's situation. Some of the species have been certainly eaten from necessity, and Pallas has told us that the Yakuti employ a few of these as food.

The arctomys, allied to the rats, is undoubtedly edible; and some of the species are peculiarly delicate. In Switzerland, and in the North of Asia by the Yakut;, the marmotte, a. marmota, is esteemed a tender highly flavoured food. The bobak of Poland is little inferior. The a. citillus is inferior as an aliment. Of the other species we have no experience, nor can we find any account. Many of the squirrels are eaten, and some of them have been reckoned a delicate food, particularly that which in the arctic regions is styled beika: those, which are separated by Linnaeus, and united under the genus myoxus, have, we believe, been never eaten. The genus dipus, which includes the kangaroo, affords, besides the largest quadruped of New Holland, many-edible species. They afford, particularly when young, a tender and easily digestible aliment.

Among the bruta, we find some species of armadillo used as food; and the flesh of the rhinoceros is said to be eaten by the Moors and Hottentots: it must be however in the earlier periods. We recollect hearing that the trunk of the elephant is delicate nourishment, but we cannot discover our authority.

Among the ferae, the lion is pre-eminent. Bruce speaks of it as food; and it is said that Shaw mentioned its having been eaten, but was fearful of publishing what would be thought incredible. It is now ascertained, that the flesh of the lion forms occasionally the food of the Africans. The cat is said, by Gesner, to be eaten in Switzerland; and Nobleville, in his continuation of Geoffroy, remarks, that many people think cats as great a delicacy as rabbits. If we may credit Le Sage, they are sometimes substituted for rabbits in Spain. Dogs are, we know, eaten in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, but apparently in no other country. The young of the bear are said to be tender and delicate; and the badger, a species of the same genus, when young and well fed, is said to be excellent, and is eaten at the best tables in Italy and Germany.

One order only remains, the primates; and, unfortunately, man has, in some instances, fed on man. The savage devours his enemies from revenge: the half-famished wretch clings to life, by eating a devoted victim of his own kind. In the South Sea Islands man once was employed as food; and in New Zealand probably it is still a banquet in great estimation. We apprehend human flesh resembles, in taste as in look, that of the hog; nor is it said to be unpleasing or indigestible. We need not enlarge on this subject; to fill the picture, it should furnish one object; to avoid disgust, it should be immediately removed.