of which a description is given in the Encyclopaedia, was not known in Europe till towards the end of the 15th century. Even in 1555 Bellona, who about that time described all the birds then known, does not so much as mention it. When it was first brought from the Canary Islands, it was so dear that it could be purchased only by people of fortune, who were often imposed upon. It was called the sugar-bird, because it was said to be fond of the sugar-cane, and could eat sugar in great abundance. This is rather

(a) "It does not seem necessary to adopt any other contrivance than the above for regulating the motions; but if it should be found necessary, it would be easy to put a ratchet-wheel on the same axle." rather a singular circumstance, sugar being to many fowls a poison. Experiments have shewn, that a pigeon, to which four drams of sugar was given, died in four hours; and that a duck, which had swallowed five drams, did not live seven hours.

In the middle of the last century canary-birds began to be bred in Europe; and to this the following circumstance, related by Olini, seems to have given occasion: "A vessel which, among other commodities, was carrying a number of canary-birds to Leghorn, was wrecked on the coast of Italy; and these birds being thus set at liberty, flew to the nearest land, which was the island of Elba, where they found the climate so favourable, that they multiplied, and perhaps would have become domesticated, had they not been caught in snare; for it appears that the breed of them there has been long destroyed. Olini says, that the breed soon degenerated; but it is probable, that by much the greater part of these canary-birds were males, which coupling with birds of the island, produced mules, such as are described by Gesner and other naturalists."

"Various treatises have been published in different languages on the manner of breeding these birds, and many people have made it a trade, by which they have acquired considerable gain. It does no discredit to the industry of the Tyrolians, that they have carried it to the greatest extent. At Ynsf there is a company, who, after the breeding season is over, send out persons to different parts of Germany and Switzerland to purchase birds from those who breed them. Each person brings with him commonly from three to four hundred, which are afterwards carried for sale, not only through every part of Germany, but also to England, Russia, and even Constantinople. About fifteen hundred are brought every year to England; where the dealers in them, notwithstanding the considerable expense they are at, and after carrying them about on their backs, perhaps a hundred miles, sell them for five shillings a piece. This trade, hitherto neglected, is now carried on in Schwarzwald; and at present there is a citizen at Gottingen who takes with him every year to England several canary-bird and bullfinches (Luscinia pyrrhula), with the produce of which he purchases such small wares as he has occasion for." — Professor Beckmann's History of Inventions and Discoveries.

CANARY-Seed. See Phalaris, Encycl.—Professor Beckmann doubts whether the plant which bears the canary-seed be the phalaris of the ancients, because that name seems to have been given by Pliny to more than one species of grass. He thinks it very probable, however, that the plant which the modern botanists call phalaris was first brought from the Canary Islands to Spain, where it began to be cultivated, as well as in the south of France; as soon as canary-birds came into general esteem. At present it is cultivated in various places, and forms no inconsiderable branch of trade, particularly in the island of Sicily, where it is called Scogliola or Scoghiola. Were it not that the grains are not easily freed from the husks, this plant might be cultivated for the food of man, for its seeds yield a good kind of meal. The phalaris has by several writers been confounded with argol or the lichen rocella of Linnæus; but they are very different plants. See Lichen Roccella in this Supplement.