356 HISTORY OF 



of their provision would shortly faiL But, as 

 things are wisely constituted, one animal now 

 supports another, and thus all take up less room 

 than they would by living on the same food ; as, 

 to make use of a similar instance, a greater num- 

 ber of people may be crowded into the same 

 space, if each is made to bear his fellow upon his 

 shoulders^ 



To- diminish the number of animals, and in- 

 crease that of vegetables, has been the general 

 scope of human industry ; and if we compare the 

 utility of the kinds with respect to man, we shall 

 find, that of the vast variety in the animal king- 

 dom, but very few are serviceable to him ; and, 

 in the vegetable, but very few are entirely noxious. 

 How small a part of the insect tribes, for instance, 

 are beneficial to mankind, and what numbers are 

 injurious ! In some countries they almost darken 

 the air : a candle cannot be lighted without their 

 instantly flying upon it, and putting out the 

 flame.* The closest recesses are no safeguard 

 from their annoyance ; and the most beautiful 

 landscapes of nature only serve to invite their 

 rapacity. As these are injurious from their mul- 

 titudes, so most of the larger kinds are equally 

 dreadful to him from their courage and ferocity. 

 In the most uncultivated parts of the forest these 

 maintain an undisputed empire, and man invades 

 their retreats with terror. These are terrible; 

 and there are still more that are utterly useless 

 to him, that serve to take up the room which 



* Ulloa's Description of Guayaquil. 



