134 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
from the animal kingdom, the other from the vege- 
table. Now, as one of the chief objects of natural — 
history is to teach us the properties and uses of 
natural productions, it might be argued, abstractedly, 
that natural history is the most important and the 
most essential science that can be conceived; since, 
without being acquainted with that information 
which it is designed to teach, man could not exist 
upon the earth. 
(79.) But if man, in his primeval state of rude- 
ness or barbarism, had been compelled to study the 
nature of tnose things which he needed, before he 
had ventured to make use of them, he would have , 
wanted both the means and the opportunity ; and he 
might have starved in the midst of plenty. He was 
therefore prompted either by reason or by instinct— 
certainly not by science—to use those things with 
‘which nature had filled the world. He saw that 
certain animals, which had been destined for his use 
possessed tameness and docility ; that they frequented 
his haunts, and even courted his protection. The 
harmlessness of their nature was apparent; and he 
was in this manner, probably, led to attempt their 
domestication, and to avail himself of their services. 
Hence we find, that the horse, the sheep, and the 
dog, were the mute companions of our primitive 
_ races. While living, their strength diminished his 
labour, or gave security to his property; and when 
dead, the greater number supplied him with food, or 
materials for clothing. He saw, again, that these 
animals fed only upon vegetables which were whole- 
some, and he might be thus assisted in discriminating 
