LETTER XXIII. 



strong bristles, which when he is irritated, rise erect 

 like the bristles of an hedge hog. 



These animals are exceedingly fierce. M. de la 

 Borde relates that being once engaged in hunting a 

 drove of peccaries, he and* his party were surrounded 

 by them and obliged to take refuge upon a fragment 

 of a rock; and although they kept up a constant tire 

 among them, the ferocious creatures did not retire 

 until many of them were killed. 



These kinds of quadrupeds already enumerated, 

 and briefly described, are those which are chiefly 

 useful to man in aflbrding him their assistance, sup- 

 plying him with food, and furnishing him with cloth- 

 ing. We shall now proceed to the inspection of a 

 numerous race of different kinds, which seem created 

 rather for themselves than for us; but which still con- 

 tribute to show the diffusive goodness as well as the 

 unlimited power of the Creator, in bestowing the 

 blessing of existence on so great a variety of crea- 

 tures, and so amply providing for their support. 

 I am, dear Sir, 



Your's, &c. 



LETTER XXIII. 



Peaceful beneath primeval trees, that cast 

 Their ample shade o'er Niger's yellow stream, 

 And when the Ganges rolls his sacred wave, 

 Or mid the centra! depth of black'ning woods, 

 High raised in solemn theatre around, 

 Leans the huge elephant; wisest of brules, 

 O truly wise with gentle might endowed; 

 Though powerful not destructive !" 



v THOMSON'. 



DEAR SIR, 



I FLATTER myself that I shall contribute to your 

 rational amusement as well as to the increase of your 

 knowledge, in exhibiting to your view one of the 

 most wonderful objects of animated nature. 



The wisdom and goodness of the great Creator are 

 clearly visible in the formation of those creatures 



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