O F I N S T I N C T. $ECT. XVI. i 3. 



that kind of nourifhment that is wanted for their 

 young. 



If the genial warmth of the fpring produced the 

 paffion of love, as it expands the foliage of trees, 

 all other animals (hould feel its influence as well 

 as birds : but, the viviparous creatures, as they 

 fuckle their young, that is, as they previoufly di- 

 geft the natural food, that it .may better fuit the 

 tender flomachs of their offspring, experience the 

 influence of this paflion at all feafons of the year, 

 as cats and bitches. The graminivorous animals 

 indeed generally produce their young about the 

 time when grafs is fupplied in the greateft plenty, 

 but this is without any degree of exaclnefs^ as ap- 

 pears from our cows, fheep, ,and hares, and may 

 be a part of the traditional knowledge, which they 

 learn from the example of the parents. 



fbeir Contrafts of Marriage. 



Their mutual paffion, and the acqnired know- 

 ledge, that their joint labour is neceflary to procure 

 fuftenance for their numerous family, induces the 

 wild birds to enter into a contract of marriage, 

 which does not however take place among the 

 ducks, geefe, and fowls, that are provided with 

 their daily food from our barns. 



An ingenious philofopher has lately denied, that 

 animals can enter into contracts, and thinks this an 

 efTential difference between them and the human 

 creature : but does not daily obfervation con- 

 vince us, that they form contracts of friendfhip 

 with each other, and with mankind ? When pup- 

 pies and kittens play together, is there not a tacit 

 contract, that they will not hurt each other ? And 

 does not your favorite dog expect you mould give 

 him his daily food, for his fervices and attention 



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