118 GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS IN SOUTH DEVON. 



tality of the aboriginal Devonians, and through the 

 multiplication of our species, and our numerous 

 operations up to the present age ; to mark the 

 gradual extermination and obliteration of certain 

 kinds : but I think it will not be less curious or 

 instructive to consider, how far our Hst may have 

 been augmented by the augmentation of resources 

 in the vegetable kingdom. No doubt can, I think, 

 exist, of the increase in numbers of individuals of 

 some species, and it is not, I believe, too much to 

 infer an increase in number of species ; not that I 

 would here entertain the subject of imported, and 

 naturalized animals, but, bona fide, a voluntary adop- 

 tion of residence on the part of animals themselves. 

 I care not if this seem to militate against the law of 

 "geographical limits," for I am purauaded, the 

 records of natural history furnish us with illustrative 

 cases, although, as I cannot consent to view the 

 matter in that way, I shall not stay to search for 

 them. 



The artificial graces, then, bestowed on our county, 

 by planting and cultivation, must be allowed to in- 

 fluence in no small degree the numbers and variety 

 of our species. Insects are, for the most part, ])hy- 

 tivorous ; certain birds and quadrupeds are likewise 

 either granivorous or herbivorous ; some again feed 

 on the phytivorous insects ; whilst both, in their 

 turn, become the prey of rapacious creatures ; and 

 here we encounter the subject of dependance in na- 

 ture, a subject, by the way, not sufficiently attended 

 to, and which, could it be more amply elucidated 

 than has yet been done, would lead to more discover- 

 ies, and important results, than will ever be effected 

 by the theories of closet naturalists. By the term 

 mehoration, we here take leave to imply, all those 

 extensive, and nearly universal alterations effected 

 in the aspect of our county by human operations 

 generally. The uncultivated part of it bears but a 

 small proportion to the rest. It would be as diffi- 

 cult a task to betake oneself to a spot from whence 



