98 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



causes of change in the animal kingdom, in order to compre- 

 hend the alterations which have already taken place, or to 

 anticipate those which may yet be produced. What influ- 

 ence has man exerted in producing such changes ? 



The situation in which we are placed in this world, ren- 

 ders it necessary for us to attempt the destruction of many 

 races of carnivorous animals, to drive them from our dwell- 

 ings, cut them off in their retreats, and prevent them from 

 living in the same region along with us. When we begin 

 to keep flocks of tamed animals, to plant gardens arid sow 

 fields, we expose ourselves to the inroads of a greater num- 

 ber of depredators, and consequently wage more extensive 

 war. The war waged, in the early stages of society, against 

 various animals, is a measure of security. With the pro- 

 gress of civilization this war becomes an amusement ; and 

 in the absence of those animals, really destructive to our 

 interests, we make sport of the death of others which are 

 inoffensive. But the employment of the chace is not al- 

 together a measure of safety or amusement. We hunt to 

 obtain food and clothing, and a variety of ornamental and 

 useful articles of life. 



The havock which man thus commits in the animal king- 

 dom, has occasioned the extirpation of many species from 

 those countries of which they were formerly the natural 

 possessors. In this island, since the Roman invasion, some 

 species of quadrupeds and birds have disappeared ; and 

 others are becoming every year less numerous. Of those 

 which have been extirpated, the bear and the beaver, the 

 crane and the capercailzie, may be quoted as well known 

 examples. The same changes are taking place in every 

 cultivated region of the earth, each having, within the very 

 limited period of history or tradition, lost many of the ori- 

 ginal inhabitants. 



