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XXV. Conjectural Observations on the Mammoth. B'j 

 G. J. Wright, Esq.* 



JL HK direct or Indirect benefit of mankind ii^ universally 

 allowed as the end ot" the creation of those various classes 

 of animated beings which inhabit our globe. Among these 

 some appear to be less entitled to arr.ingement under this, 

 axiom than others ; or, in other w ords, the benefits to be 

 derived from a certain class mav appear more than counter- 

 balanced bv the evils incurred by their ravages : but, happily 

 for u.-, the disproportionate increase of the various species 

 of such, a.nd particularly of the more destructive, is in a 

 great measure prevented, not only by the inJiscriminating 

 rapncity of animals Vvhosc superiority of rank carries certain 

 destruction wherever thcv haunt, but also by that wise pro- 

 vision of nature, which, the more efiectually to curtail th.e 

 diffusion of destructive animals, implants in other orders a 

 peculiar speciiic and native antipathv, prompting them to 

 unceasing warfare against such their appointed prev, whose 

 undue increase, if not by some appropriate method pre- 

 vented, would in process of time probai)!v depopulate the 

 world. 



As then ffor reasons which it is not our province to ana- 

 lyse) miUxkiad are exposed to the ravages of such destruc- 

 tive being-;, we must neeessarilv allow that class as most to 

 be dreaded, against which we are accpiainted with no effec- 

 tual means of opposition from other animals, not except - 

 'yi\v even man, v.ho, though placed in the world as the lord 

 of the creation, unassisted by those skilful manipul.uions 

 in the arts by means of which he ranges unhurt amidst a 

 thousand dangers, actually becomes the prey of tribes over 

 which he is destined to rule. 



If the above precautions are necessary in an rerawhen tlie 

 greater part of the globe is replete with inhabitants, how 

 much mcjre requisite in the earlier ages, when, population 

 bein'X at a low ebb, the contir.uance of the human race in 

 far separated climes mav have hinged on the preservation of 

 a few, and that at a time when these scattered individuals 

 wtre unfurnished with the implements of security of which 

 jnodern improvements have put us in possession ! 



And can wc suppose for a moment, that while the in- 

 crease of less hurtful creatures is limited by various means, 

 the disproportionate extension of a class again:>t v hich nci- 



* Communicatee by the Author. 



they 



