ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY. 283 



tile attitude toward the mutes, and increases in 

 numbers and in civilization at the present ratio, for 

 several centuries to come, it is plain to be seen that 

 many species of animals must be extirpated from the 

 earth. An arrest of the progress of the human race 

 can alone prevent the dismemberment and destruction 

 of a large portion of the animal kingdom. Domestica- 

 tion or extermination is the alternative already ofiered 

 not alone to species, but to families and orders of ani- 

 mals. It may be that this result was never intended in 

 the councils of Providence. It is not unlikely that 

 God has adjusted a balance among the several orders 

 of animals which cannot be overthrown except at the 

 peril of the aggressor; and that in some mysterious 

 way this balance is destined to be preserved. The 

 present attitude of man toward the mutes is not such, 

 in all respects, as befits his superior wisdom. We 

 deny them all rights, and ravage their ranks with 

 wanton and unmerciful cruelty. The annual sacri- 

 fice of animal life to maintain human life is frightful, 

 if considered only with reference to its excess beyond 

 our reasonable wants. When the Creator made man 

 omnivorous. He designed his use of animal food. It 

 is not sentimentalism but rather sense, to say that he 

 should exercise the right with reason and forbearance. 

 When we claim that the bear was made for man's food, 

 we forget that man was just as much made to be Ibod 

 for the bear; and that our right to eat the bear rests 

 upon no higher sanction, than his coequal right to feast 

 upon our flesh if he overcomes in battle. Man's do- 

 minion over the mutes is in virtue of his superior 

 endowments; but it is equally clear that the great 

 Author of existence designed the happiness of the 



