INTRODUCTION. 103 



cune autre espece sauvage, par la conformation, et 

 par la facilite de s'apprivoiser." 



In conclusion, we may assume, that man being 

 created for higher purposes than a mere animal 

 existence, subordinate creatures, so constituted as 

 to be important elements of co-operation, were called 

 into existence to further that design, and to facili- 

 tate his intellectual advancement. Among others, 

 that canines were endowed with faculties of a pecu- 

 liar nature in aid of his exertions, and in compensa- 

 tion for the physical inadequacy of his structure, to 

 compete with the fiercer tenants of the world. How 

 the brute creation was at first distributed, we never 

 can ascertain ; but we may conjecture, judging from 

 that balance which we may trace is kept up in 

 organised matter, vegetable as well as animal, that 

 all the classes and orders must have been co-existing 

 from the beginning in such proportions, that none 

 had so decided a preponderance in either kingdom 

 of nature as to outweigh and destroy others, or even 

 to exceed their useful quantity. And here again we 

 find an exception ; for to man alone it was given, in 

 proof of his higher destinies, to violate this law for 

 his convenience ; to diminish, to exterminate whole 

 species of animals, clear whole regions of forest, 

 banish whole classes of plants, and supply their 

 places by multiplying those creatures and that vege- 

 tation necessary to his own comfort, and converting 

 a wilderness into cultivated regions for his benefit, 

 without disturbing the harmony of the creation; 

 unless in the duration of ages and in obedience to 



