34. Instance in Cassowaries.
Were I to talk with any one of a sort of birds I lately saw in St. James's Park, about
three or four feet high, with a covering of something between feathers and hair, of a dark brown colour, without
wings, but in the place thereof two or three little branches coming down like sprigs of Spanish broom, long great
legs, with feet only of three claws, and without a tail; I must make this description of it, and so may make others
understand me. But when I am told that the name of it is cassuaris, I may then use that word to stand in discourse
for all my complex idea mentioned in that description; though by that word, which is now become a specific
name, I know no more of the real essence or constitution of that sort of animals than I did before; and knew
probably as much of the nature of that species of birds before I learned the name, as many Englishmen do of
swans or herons, which are specific names, very well known, of sorts of birds common in England.
