11 



iorer of science, that, on becoming possessed of any new 

 species, whether it be a Beast, a Bird, a Fish, or a 

 Flower, he endeavoui' to become acquainted with its 

 affinities, its relations, its antipathies, its delights, not 

 only as it regards the object immediately under exami- 

 nation ; but also what part it acts or fills up in the 

 general economy. Thus, I observe, a quadruped grazing 

 beside a stream, in some sequestered vale, on ap- 

 proaching it, I discover it is greatly inconvenienced by 

 the stings or wounds of innumerable insects, that are 

 besetting it on every side, maddened with pain, the 

 animal rushes for relief into the water, the insects, dis- 

 lodged by this element are greedily devoured by the finny 

 inhabitants of the stream ; these latter are immediately 

 siezed by birds of prey, who were awaiting the instant 

 the fish should rise to the surface of the water. Our 

 Quadruped relieved from its tormentors, quits this place 

 and repairs to some distant forest, in its way it un- 

 avoidably crushes down the high grass and other herbage 

 beneath its feet, the seeds of which cling to its skin, 

 some by natural hocks aud appendages supplied for 

 the purpose, others attaching themselves to the fur, from 

 the moisture it retains, and are by these means transported 

 far from their native vale, to alTord sustenance to otlisr 

 animals in distant countries. 



By means equally simple the bounteous hand of a bo- 

 aevolent Creator spreads a table for his meanest creatures ; 

 nor do we meet with any thing like want in the wilds of 

 nature; sudden accidents may undoubtedly reduce many 

 #f the lower classes of animals to a slats of famine^ but 



