152 HISTORY OF 



up, not only alters their disposition, but their very 

 forms ; and the difference between animals in a 

 state of nature and domestic tameness is so consi- 

 derable, that M. Buffon has taken this as a prin- 

 cipal distinction in classing them. 



In taking a cursory view of the form of quadru- 

 peds, we may easily perceive that, of all the ranks 

 of animated nature, they bear the nearest resem- 

 blance to man. This similitude will be found 

 more striking, when, erecting themselves on their 

 hinder feet, they are taught to walk forward in 

 an upright posture. We then see that all their 

 extremities in a manner correspond with ours, 

 and present us with a rude imitation of our own. 

 In some of the ape kind the resemblance is so 

 striking, that anatomists are puzzled to find in 

 what part of the human body man's superiority 

 consists ; and scarcely any but the metaphysician 

 can draw the line that ultimately divides them. 



But if we compare their internal structure with 

 our own, the likeness will be found still to increase, 

 and we shall perceive many advantages they enjoy 

 in common with us, above the lower tribes of na- 

 ture. Like us, they are placed above the class of 

 birds, by bringing forth their young alive ; like 

 us, they are placed above the class of fishes, by 

 breathing through the lungs ; like us, they are 

 placed above the class of insects, by having red 

 blood circulating through their veins ; and lastly, 

 like us, they are different from almost all the other 

 classes of animated nature, being either wholly or 

 partly covered with hair. Thus nearly are we re- 

 presented in point cf conformation to the class 



