GOODNESS OF THE DEITY. 30fi 



wliicli agrees with the use \\4iich we assign to the faculty. 

 The abbe seemed to be of opinion, that the bite even of the 

 rattlesnake would not usually be mortal ; allowing, however, 

 that in certain particularly unfortunate cases, as when the 

 puncture had touched some very tender part, pricked a prin- 

 cipal nerve, for instance, or, as it is said, some more consider- 

 able lymphatic vessel, death might speedily ensue. 



3. It has been, I think, very justly remarked concerning 

 serpents, that while only a lew species possess the venomous 

 property, that property guards the whole tribe. The most 

 innocuous snake is avoided with as much care as a viper. 

 Now the terror with which large animals regard this class 

 of reptiles is its protection ; and this terror is founded on the 

 formidable revenge which a few of the number, compared 

 with the whole, are capable of taking. The species of ser- 

 pents described by Linnaeus, amount to two hundred and 

 eighteen, of which tliirty-two only are poisonous. 



4. It seems to me, that animal constitutions are pro- 

 vided not only for each element, but for each state of the 

 elements, that is, for every climate, and for every tempera- 

 ture ; and that part of the mischief complained of, arises 

 from animals — the human animal most especially — occupy- 

 ing situations upon the earth which do not belong to them, 

 nor were ever intended for their habitation. The folly and 

 wickedness of mankind, and necessities proceeding from these 

 causes, have driven multitudes of the species to seek a refuge 

 among burning sands, while countries blessed with hospit- 

 able skies, and with the most fertile soils, remain almost 

 without a human tenant. We invade the territories of wild 

 beasts and venomous reptiles, and then complaii* that we 

 are infested by their bites and stings. Some accounts oi 

 Africa place this observation in a strong point of view. 

 '• The deserts," says Adamson, " are entirely barren, except 

 where they are found to produce serpents ; and in such quan- 

 tities, that some extensive plains are almost entirely covered 

 with them." These are the natures appropriated to the sit- 



