ORDERS OP MAMMALIA. 215 



properly be said to avail itself of the advantages of society ; 

 and the only one that, strictly speaking educates its young. 

 It is in consequence of these advantages, particularly that 

 derived from association, that he has been enabled under all 

 circumstances, to acquire and preserve a dominion over 

 other animals, to protect himself against the severity of cli- 

 mates, and thus spread his species over every part of the 

 earth. Naturally tender and defenceless, he could only ex- 

 ist in the most equable and temperate climates ; but, aided 

 by the inventions and discoveries of social life, he is enabled 

 to brave the cold of the polar circle, as well as the overpow- 

 ering heat of the regions on the equator. 



The second order {Quadruman' a, apes, baboons, S^c.) of 

 this class of animals forms a numerous tribe, and compre- 

 hends a great variety of species. They maintain the erect 

 position with difficulty ; it is a constrained one. Their 

 structure evidently fits them for climbing, and their usual 

 places of habitation are trees, on the fruits of which they 

 feed. 



The third order is subdivided into several tribes or fami- 

 lies, accordingly as they are more or less carnivorous. The 

 first tribe is that of the Bats, distinguished by their wings, 

 which are formed of a thin fold of skin, extending between 

 the two limbs of the same side. By means of this apparatus, 

 many of them are able to fly with a force and rapidity equal 

 to that of birds ; but in others it answers only the purpose 

 of a parachute to break their fall from lofty places, or to ena- 

 ble them to perform great leaps in their passage from tree to 

 tree. The second tribe includes a number of small animals, 

 which feed principally upon insects, and are called insec- 

 tiv'orous, as the shrew-mouse and the mole. The third tribe 

 possesses the characteristics of carnivorous animals in the 

 highest degree. They are endowed not only with an appe- 

 tite for animal food and a structure adapted for its mastica- 

 tion and digestion, but with strength and courage for seizing 

 and retaining it ; as the wolf, fox, lion, panther, and others. 

 A fourth tribe of this order comprehends the amphibious 

 animals, as the Seal and the Morse. They live almost en- 

 tirely in the sea, but they cannot remain constantly under 

 water. 



The fourth order (Rodcn'tia, gnawers) are remarkably 

 qualified by the arrangement of their teeth for penetrating 



