ANIMALS. 163 



and the males, forming a ring round them, op- 

 pose their horns to the assailants. Some animals, 

 that feed upon fruits which are to be found only 

 at one time of the year, fill their holes with several 

 sorts of plants, which enable them to lie conceal- 

 ed during the hard frosts of the winter, contented 

 with their prison, since it affords them plenty and 

 protection. These holes are dug with so much 

 art, that there seems the design of an architect in 

 the formation. There are usually two apertures, 

 by one of which the little inhabitant can always 

 escape when the enemy is in possession of the 

 other. Many creatures are equally careful of 

 avoiding their enemies, by placing a sentinel to 

 warn them of the approach of danger. These 

 generally perform this duty by turns ; and they 

 know how to punish such as have neglected their 

 post, or have been unmindful of the common 

 safety. Such are a part of the efforts that the 

 weaker races of quadrupeds exert to avoid their 

 invaders ; and, in general, they are attended with 

 success. The arts of instinct are most commonly 

 found an overmatch for the invasions of instinct. 

 Man is the only creature against whom all their 

 little tricks cannot prevail. Wherever he has 

 spread his dominion, scarcely any flight can save, 

 or any retreat harbour ; wherever he comes, terror 

 seems to follow, and all society ceases among the 

 inferior tenants of the plain ; their union against 

 him can yield them no protection, and their cun- 

 ning is but weakness. In their fellow-brutes, they 

 have an enemy whom they can oppose with an 

 equality of advantage ; they can oppose fraud or 



