24- FIRST CLASS ; 



to be a regular gradation from the most perfect to the 

 most degraded, which latter approach the highest of the 

 next inferior class. The whale, the seal, and the morse, 

 connect quadrupeds with fishes ; the bat tribe, with birds ; 

 and the armadillo with shells. The further they recede 

 from the human figure, the lower they rank in that class 

 to which they are referred. 



However, though in quadrupeds there are upwards of 

 two hundred and twenty species, and of course in such a 

 variety there must be very different degrees of symmetry 

 end adaptation, all are admirably calculated for the 

 stations which they are doomed to fill. Even the sloth 

 and the mole are not without their share of what makes 

 life desirable ; and it is very likely that they enjoy as 

 much happiness as their natures require. 



Being formed in general for gathering up their food 

 from the ground, the heads of quadrupeds are perfectly 

 suited to their way of living, while their teeth are accu- 

 rately framed for the nature of their aliment. This is 

 perceptible in the granivorous and carnivorous kinds ; in 

 the one, the teeth serve as the instruments to comminute 

 their food ; in the other, as instruments of defence or 

 annoyance. But not one or two members only of qua- 

 drupeds are thus happily adjusted to their pursuits or 

 wants ; the further we carry our attention to the pecu- 

 liarities of their structure, the more sensible we shall 

 be of the wisdom that has formed their parts for the 

 respective necessities and enjoyments incident to their 

 nature. 



Which ever way we turn our view, we sha/I find new 

 subjects for our admiration and thankfulness. The larger 

 quadrupeds are formed in general for an inoffensive life, 

 or are subservient to the rule of man ; the smaller, if 

 mischievous, are happily limited in their powers of an- 

 noyance, by their want of courage or of strength. Were 

 the elephant and the rhinoceros as noxious as the tiger or 

 the rat, how much would mankind have to apprehend 

 from their magnitude and power ! But, happily for u*> 



