MAMMALIA. 2.'S 



tion of subjects ; in order to attract, as far as I am able, 

 and not repel the inquisitive mind of the youthful student. 



Before I enter, however, on individual descriptions, it 

 may be requisite to give a general view of quadrupeds : 

 which will show the economy of nature in regard to this 

 interesting class of animals ; and the marked superiority 

 which, as Men, we possess over them all. 



A comparative view of the various classes In animated 

 nature, will sufficiently evince that quadrupeds rank next 

 to ourselves. The similitude between their structure and 

 our own, particularly in the ape race ; their instincts, 

 which in some kinds seem to approach to the reasoning 

 faculty ; their ability to render us essential service, and 

 their power to injure us ; all conspire to render them pro-" 

 tuinent objects of our curiosity and regard. 



At first, they were probably rivals to the dominion of 

 Man ; but the generality of them have long become his 

 helpers, or receded from his presence. Yet it must have 

 required great and repeated efforts to break their inde- 

 pendent spirit, when taken from their original state of 

 wildness, and to render them domestic and tame. 



The conformation of the internal parts of quadrupeds, 

 bears a striking analogy to that of the human race. Like 

 us, they rank above the class of birds, by being vivipa- 

 rous ; like us, they rank above the class of fishes, by 

 respiring through lungs ; like us, they rank above the 

 class of insects, by having red blood ; and, like us, they 

 are different from all the other tribes of animated nature, 

 by being either partially or wholly covered with hair. 

 These circumstances of affinity ought to teach us mild- 

 ness and humanity to such as are subservient to our in- 

 terest or our pleasure, and at least to abstain from wanton 

 cruelty to those that are either useless, or even noxious 

 to us. 



But though quadrupeds in general are thus strongly 

 marked, yet some admitted into the Linnaean system are 

 of an equivocal character, and appear to be sunk very 

 low in the scale of existence. In every class there seems 



