3^6 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



matched him. The greater part tremble at the 

 thought of rearing a progeny, under the appre- 

 hension of being incapable to find fubfiftence for 

 them. The greater part, in order to procure fub- 

 fiftence for themfelves, are fubjected to painful 

 labours, and reduced to the condition of flaves to 

 their fellow-creatures. Whole Nations are ex- 

 pofed to perifh by famine : others, destitute of 

 territory, are piled a-top of each other, while the 

 greateft part of the Globe is a wildernefs. 



It is obvious that the fir ft animals, fuch as the horfe and the 

 cow, being of a bulk and weight too confiderable, could not pof- 

 fibly, be their utility ever fo great, crofs the feas in the fmall ca- 

 noes of the early Navigators, who, on the other hand, would 

 have been very careful not to tranfport with them fuch vermin 

 as rats and mice. 



Finally, let us revert to the general Laws of Nature. If all 

 the iflands of the South-Sea once formed a Continent, there mull 

 have been no fea, then, in the fpace which they occupy. Now, 

 it is indubitably certain, that were you, at this day, to take away 

 from around them, the Ocean by which they are encompafled, 

 and the regular winds which blow over it, you would blaft them 

 with fterility. The iflands of the South-Sea form, between Afia 

 and America, a real bridge of communication, with a few arches 

 alone of which we are acquainted, and of which it would not be 

 difficult to difcover the reft, from the other harmonies of the 

 Globe. But here I reftrain my conjectures on this fubjçct. I 

 have faid enough to prove, that the fame hand which has co- 

 vered the Earth with plants and animals for the fervice of Man, 

 has not neglected the different parts of his habitation. 



There 



