40 CLASS 1. MAMMALIA. 



with very short legs, enabling them to creep through very 

 narrow apertures. They are small and feeble, but still ex- 

 tremely cruel. Others again, as the dog, the wolf, the fox, 

 and the jackal, are possessed of a good deal of strength, but 

 do not exhibit a proportionate degree of courage and ferocity. 

 But the lion, tiger, panther, &-c., are at once the most power- 

 ful, the most bloody, and the most ferocious of the animal 

 kirigddm. Their fore paws are endowed with prodigious 

 muscular power, and are armed with sharp and piercing nails, 

 which, in a state of rest, are drawn in and concealed from 

 sight. They are the terror of the forest, feed only upon flesh 

 and blood, and sometimes, when driven by hunger, attack 

 even man himself. 



The Dog, so well known to all mankind, presents a great 

 variety of shape, size, and color, according to the different 

 breeds produced by the different situations in which he has 

 been placed. No animal is so completely under the control 

 of mankind. Every individual of the species gives himself up 

 wholly to his master, obeys his voice, acquires his habits, de- 

 fends his property, and, even in spite of caprice and ill usage, 

 remains faithful till death. This connection, this attachment, 

 does not proceed so much from necessity, as from a true sen- 

 timent of friendship. The dog is the only animal which has 

 accompanied man to every part of the earth, and forms his 

 most useful ally, particularly in the early stages of society, ir 

 bringing into subjection the inhabitants of the forest. It has 

 been supposed by some, that the dog was originally the same 

 with the wolf, and by others, that he is a jackal in a domestic 

 state. But the origin of his connection with man is too re- 

 mote and obscure to allow this question to be determined. 



The animals of the Cat kind are all of a fierce and bloody 

 disposition; some are remarkable for the majesty and ele- 

 gance of their form, or the beauty of their skin. The lion 

 and the tiger are the two most celebrated species. 



The Lion is a native of Asia and Africa; and is found some- 

 times of the length of eight or nine feet, exclusively of the 

 tail. His appearance is majestic and dignified ; and, although 

 entirely carnivorous, he is not remarkable for cruelty or the 

 unnecessary destruction of life, but has been often noted for 

 striking traits of generosity and magnanimity. His muscular 

 strength is immense ; a single stroke of his paw is sufficient 

 to destroy some of the larger animals on which he preys ; a 

 sweep of his tail will knock down a man ; and he is able to 

 carry off an ox, or even a buffalo, when lightened of its en- 



