122 



A HISTORY OF 



vided by nature, of the largest kinds ; and, 

 consequently, the nourishing surface is thus 

 extended. In the second place, there are 

 animals peculiar to every part of the vegeta- 

 ble, so that no part of it is lost. But the 

 greatest possible increase of life would still 

 be deficient, were there not other animals 

 that lived upon animals; and these are, 

 themselves, in turn, food for some other 

 greater and stronger set of creatures. Were 

 all animals to live upon vegetables alone, 

 thousands would be extinct that now have 

 existence, as the quantity of their provision 

 would shortly fail. But, as things are wisely 

 constituted, one animal now supports ano- 

 ther ; and thus, all take up less room than 

 they would by living on the same food ; as, 

 to make use of a similar instance, a greater 

 number of people may be crowded into the 

 same space, if each is made to bear his fel- 

 low upon his shoulders. 



To diminish the number of animals, and 

 increase that of vegetables, has been the ge- 

 neral scope of human industry ; and, if we 

 compare the utility of the kinds, with respect 

 to man, we shall find, that of the vast va- 

 riety in the animal kingdom, but very few are 

 serviceable to him ; and, in the vegetable, 

 but very few are entirely noxious. How small 

 a part of the insect tribes, for instance, are 

 beneficial to mankind, and what numbers 

 are injurious ! In some countries they almost 

 darken the air : a candle cannot be lighted 

 without their instantly flying upon it, and 

 putting out the flame." The closest recesses 

 are no safeguard from their annoyance ; and 

 the most beautiful landscapes of nature only 

 serve to invite their rapacity. As these are 

 injurious, from their multitudes, so most of 

 the larger kinds are equally dreadful to him, 

 from their courage and ferocity. In the most 

 uncultivated parts of the forest these main- 

 tain an undisputed empire ; and man invades 



Ulloa's Description of Guayaquil. 



their retreats with terror. These are dread- 

 ful; and there are still more which are utter- 

 ly useless to him, that serve to take up the 

 room which more beneficial creatures might 

 possess; and incommode him, rather with 

 their numbers than their enmities. Thus, in 

 a catalogue of land-animals, that amounts to 

 more than twenty thousand, we can scarcely 

 reckon up a hundred that are any way use- 

 ful to him ; the rest being either all his open 

 or his secret enemies, immediately attacking 

 him in person, or intruding upon that food he 

 has appropriated to himself. Vegetables, on 

 the contrary, though existing in greater vari- 

 ety, are but few of them noxious. The most 

 deadly poisons are often of great use in me- 

 dicine ; and even those plants that only seern 

 to cumber the ground, serve for food to that 

 race of animals which he has taken into 

 friendship or protection. The smaller tribes 

 of vegetables, in particular, are cultivated, 

 as contributing either to his necessities or 

 amusement ; so that vegetable life is as much 

 promoted by human industry, as animal life 

 is controlled and diminished. 



Hence it was not without a long struggle, 

 and various combinations of experience and 

 art, that man acquired his present dominion. 

 Almost every good that he possesses was the 

 result of the contest ; for, every day, as he 

 was contending, he was growing more wise; 

 and patience and fortitude were the fruits of 

 his industry. 



Hence, also, we see the necessity of some 

 animals living upon each other, to fill up the 

 plan of Providence ; and we may, conse- 

 quently, infer the expediency of man's living 

 upon all. Both animals and vegetables seem 

 equally fitted to his appetites ; and were any 

 religious or moral motives to restrain him 

 from taking away life, upon any account, he 

 would only thus give existence to a variety 

 of beings made to prey upon each other; 

 and, instead of preventing, multiply mutual 

 destruction. 



