446 



A HISTORY OF 



yet come to its full growth, was found to be 

 much inferior. 



With this last described and last discover- 

 ed animal, I shall conclude the history of 

 quadrupeds, which of all parts of natural 

 knowledge seems to have been described the 

 most accurately. As these, from their figure, 

 as well as their sagacity, bear the nearest re- 

 semblance to man, and from their uses or 

 enmities are the most respectable parts of 

 the inferior creation; so it was his interest, 

 and his pleasure, to make himself acquainted 

 with their history. It is probable therefore 

 that time, which enlarges the sphere of our 

 knowledge in other parts of learning, can add 

 but very little to this. The addition of a new 

 quadruped to the catalogue already known, 

 is of no small consequence, and happens but 

 seldom; for the number of all is so few, that 

 wherever a new one is found, it becomes an 

 object worthy our best attention. It may 

 take refuge in its native deserts from our pur- 

 suits, but not from our curiosity. 



But it is very different with the inferior 

 ranks of the creation ; the classes of birds, of 

 fishes, and of insects, are all much more nu- 

 merous, and more incompletely known. The 

 quadruped is possessed of no arts of escaping, 

 which we are not able to overcome ; but the 

 bird removes itself by its swiftness, the fishes 

 find protection in their native element, and 

 insects are secured in their minuteness, num- 

 bers, and variety. Of all these, therefore, we 

 have but a very inadequate catalogue ; and 

 though the list be already very large, yet 

 every hour is adding to its extent. 



In fact, all knowledge is pleasant only as 

 the object of it contributes to render man 

 happy ; and the services of quadrupeds be- 

 ing so very necessary to him in every situa- 

 tion, he is particularly interested in their 

 history : without their aid, what a wretched 

 and forlorn creature would he have been ! 

 the principal part of his food, his clothing, 

 and his amusements, are derived wholly from 

 them; and he may be considered as a great 

 lord, sometimes cherishing his humble de- 

 pendents, and sometimes terrifying the refrac- 

 tory, to contribute to his delight and conve- 

 niences. 



The horse and the ass, the elephant, the 

 camel, the lama, and rein-deer, contribute to 



ease his fatigues, and to give him that swift- 

 ness which he wants from nature By their 

 assistance, he changes place without hbour; 

 he attains health without weariness; his pride 

 is enlarged by the elegance of equipage, and 

 other animals are pursued with a certainty of 

 success. It were happy indeed for man, if, 

 while converting these quadrupeds to his own 

 benefit, he had not turned them to the de- 

 struction of his fellow creatures; he has em- 

 ployed some of them for the purposes of war, 

 and they have conformed to his noxious am- 

 bition with but too fatal an obedience. 



The cow, the sheep, the deer, and all their 

 varieties, are necessary to him, though in a 

 different manner. Their flesh makes the 

 principal luxuries of his table, and their wool 

 or skins the chief ornament of his person. 

 Even those nations that are forbid to touch 

 any thing that has life, cannot wholly dispense 

 with their assistance. The milk of these ani- 

 mals makes a principal part of the food of 

 every country, and often repairs those con- 

 stitutions that have been broken by disease 

 or intemperance. 



The dog, the cat, and the ferret, may be 

 considered as having deserted from their 

 fellow quadrupeds, to list themselves under 

 the conduct and protection of man. At his 

 command they exert all their services against 

 such animals as they are capable of destroy- 

 ing, and follow them into places where he 

 himself wants abilities to pursue. 



As there is thus a numerous tribe, that he 

 has taken into protection, and that supplies 

 his necessities and amusements, so there is 

 also a still more numerous one, that wages an 

 equal combat against him, and thus calls forth 

 his courage and his industry. Were it not 

 for the lion, the tiger, the panther, the rhi- 

 noceros, and the bear, he would scarcely know 

 his own powers, and the superiority of human 

 art over brutal fierceness. These serve to 

 excite, and put his nobler passions into 

 motion. He attacks them in their retreat, 

 faces them with resolution, and seldom fails 

 of coming off with a victory. He thus be- 

 comes hardier and better in the struggle, and 

 learns toknow and to value hisownsuperiority. 



As the last mentioned animals are called 

 forth by his boldest efforts, so the numerous 

 tribe of the smaller vermin kind excite his 



