90 RAPTORES. 



mammalia ; a very great proportion of which are 

 also nocturnal in their habits, and being chiefly 

 herbivorous or frugivorous, would, if allowed to 

 overrun, as has been at times experienced, cause 

 almost incalculable loss to the cultivators of the 

 soil, or nearly clear from the ground those plants 

 which are so bountifully supplied for the necessi- 

 ties of man, and the support of the ruminating 

 animals as well as their own smaller wants. 

 We shall now notice the families in detail. 



