222 HOSTILITIES OF ANIMALS. 



system of animation is conspicuous, and merits admiration 

 Life, it should appear, cannot be supported without the inter 

 vention of death. Through almost the whole of animated 

 nature, as we have seen, nothing but rapine and the destruc- 

 tion of individuals prevail. This destruction, however, has 

 its use. Every animal, after death, administers life and hap- 

 piness to a number of others. In many animals, the powers 

 of digestion and of assimilation, are confined to animal sub- 

 stances alone. If deprived of animal food, such species, it is 

 evident, could not exist. The chief force of this observation, 

 it is admitted, is applicable solely to the carnivorous tribes, 

 strictly so denominated. But, from the facts formerly enu- 

 merated, and from the daily experience of every man, it is 

 apparent, that, perhaps, no animal does or can exist totally 

 independent of food, that is or has been animated. Sheep, 

 oxen, and all herbivorous animals, though not from choice, 

 and even without consciousness, daily devour thousands of 

 insects. This may be one reason why cattle of all kinds 

 fatten so remarkably in rich pastures ; for insects are always 

 most numerous where the herbage is luxuriant. Nature is 

 so profuse in her animated productions, that no food can be 

 eaten, and no fluid can be drunk, in which animal substances, 

 either in a living or dead state, are not to be found. 



To this reasoning it may be objected, Why has Nature ^es- 

 tablished a system so cruel 1 Why did she render it neces- 

 sary that one animal could not live without the destruction of 

 another ? To such questions no answer can be either given 

 or expected. No being, except the Supreme, can unfold this 

 mystery. Perhaps it even exceeds the limits of possibility to 

 establish such an extended system of animation upon any 

 other foundation. From the general benevolence of the great 

 Creator, we are warranted to conclude that this is really the 

 case. But it is fruitless to dwell upon subjects which are 

 inscrutable, and far removed beyond the powers of human 

 intellect. We shall therefore descend, and endeavor to point 

 out some advantages which result from this mysterious insti- 

 tution of nature. 



The hostilities of animals give rise to mutual improvement. 

 Animals improve, and discover a superiority of parts, in pro- 

 portion to the number of enemies they have to attack or 

 evade. The weak, and consequently timid, are obliged to 

 exert their utmost powers in inventing and practising every 

 possible mode of escape. Pure instinct powerfully prompts * 

 but much is learned by experience and observation. Rapa- 



