278 A HISTORY OF 



\\\s reward were to be in this life alone, then indeed would he be, of 

 all beings the most wretched. 



The heads of quadrupeds, though differing from each other, are, in 

 general, adapted to their way of living. In some it is sharp, the bev 

 ter to fit the animal for turning up the earth in which its food lies. In 

 some it is long, in order to give a greater room for the olfactory 

 nerves, as in dogs, who are to hunt and find out their prey by the 

 scent. In otners it is short and thick, as in the lion, to increase the 

 strength of the jaw, and to fit it the better for combat. In quadrupeds 

 tnat feed upon grass, they are enabled to hold down their heads to 

 the ground, by a strong tendinous ligament, that runs from the head 

 to the middle of the back. This serves to raise the head, although it 

 has been he.d to the ground for several hours, without any labour, or 

 any assistance from the muscles of the neck. 



The teeth of all animals are entirely fitted to the nature of their 

 food. Those of such as live upon flesh differ in every respect from 

 such as live upon vegetables. In the latter, they seem entirely made 

 for gathering and bruising their simple food, being edged before, and 

 fitted for cutting ; but broad towards the back of the jaw, and fitted 

 for pounding. In the carnivorous kinds, they are sharp before, and 

 fitted rather for holding, than dividing. In the one the teeth serve as 

 grindstones ; in the other as weapons of defence ; in both, however, 

 the surface of those teeth which serve for grinding, are unequal ; the 

 cavities and risings fitting those of the opposite, so as to tally exactlv 

 when the jaws are brought together. These inequalities oetter serve 

 for comminuting the food ; but they become smooth with age ; and, 

 for this reason, old animals take a longer time to chew their food than ' 

 such as are in the vigour of life. 



Their le<rs are not better fitted than their teeth to their respective 

 wants or enjoyments. In some they are made for strength only, and 

 to support a vast unwieldy frame, without much flexibility or beauti- 

 ful proportion. Thus the legs of the elephant, the rhinoceros, and 

 the sea-horse, resemble pillars ; were they made smaller, they would 

 be unfit to support the body ; were they endowed with greater flexi- 

 bility, or swiftness, that would be needless, as they do not pursue 

 other animals for food ; and, conscious of their own superior strength, 

 there are none that they deign to avoid. Deers, hares, and other 

 creatures, that are to find safety only in flight, have their legs made 

 entirely for speed ; they are slender and nervous. Were it not for 

 this advantage, every carnivorous animal would soon make them a 

 prey, and their races would be entirely extinguished. But, in the 

 present stare 01 nature, the means of safety are rather superior to those 

 of offence ; and the pursuing animal must owe success only to patience, 

 perseverance, and industry. The feet of some, that live upon fish 

 alone, are made for swimming. The to'es of these animals are joined 

 together with membranes, being web-footed, like a goose or a duck, 

 by which they swim with great rapidity. Those anim-als that lead a 

 life of hostility, and live upon others, have their feet armed with sharp 

 claws, which some can sheath and unsheath at will. Those, on the 

 contrary who lead peaceful lives, have generally hoofs, which serve 

 <nmn ri<> weapons of defence ; and which, in all, are better fitted foi 



