SOCIETY OF ANIMALS. 249 



but, like the bits of straw and wood, are employed as materials 

 in the construction of their habitation. 



2. Improper Societies. Many animals are gregarious, 

 though they unite not with a view to any joint operation, 

 such as" constructing common habitations, or mutually and 

 indiscriminately nourishing and protecting the offspring pro- 

 duced by the whole society. But, even among animals of 

 this description, there are motives or bonds of association ; 

 and, in many instances, they mutually assist and defend each 

 other from hostile assaults. 



The ox is a gregarious animal. When a herd of oxen are 

 pasturing in a meadow, if a wolf makes his appearance, they 

 instantly form themselves in battle array, and present their 

 united horns to the enemy. This warlike disposition often 

 intimidates the wolf, and obliges him to retire. 



In winter, the hinds and young stags associate, and form 

 herds, which are always more numerous in proportion to the 

 severity of the weather. One bond of their society seems to 

 be the advantage of mutual warmth derived from each other's 

 bodies. In spring they disperse, and the hinds conceal them- 

 selves in the forests, where they produce their young. The 

 young stags, however, continue together; they love to browse 

 in company ; and necessity alone forces them to separate. 



The Count de Buffon represents sheep as stupid creatures, 

 which are incapable of defending themselves against the 

 attacks of any rapacious animal. He maintains that the race 

 must long ago have been extinguished, if man had not taken 

 them under his immediate protection. But nature has fur- 

 nished every species of animated beings with weapons and 

 arts of defence which are sufficient for individual preservation, 

 as well as for the continuation of the kind. Sheep are endow- 

 ed with a strong associating principle. When threatened with 

 an attack, like soldiers, they form a line of battle, and boldly 

 face the enemy. In a natural state, the rams constitute one 

 half of the flock. They join together and form the front. 

 When prepared in this manner for repelling an assault, no 

 lion or tiger can resist their united impetuosity and force. 



A family of hogs, when in a state of natural liberty, never 

 separate till the young have acquired strength sufficient to 

 repel the wolf. When a wolf threatens an attack, the whole 

 family unite their forces, and bravely defend each other. 



The wild dogs of Africa hunt in packs, and carry on a per- 

 petual war against other rapacious animals. The jackals of 

 Asia and Africa likewise hunt in packs. But, though animals 



