CONCLUSION. 41,5 



the sides ; and close to these, two true grinders : 

 in the lower jaw there are two long cutting teeth 

 formed like those of the squirrel, with three 

 grinders corresponding with those in the upper 

 jaw. It is about the size of a rabbit.] 



With these last described and last discovered 

 animals I shall conclude the history of quadru- 

 peds, which, of all parts of natural knowledge, 

 seems to have been described the most accurate- 

 ly. As these, from their figure, as well as their 

 sagacity, bear the nearest resemblance to man, 

 and from their uses or enmities are the most re- 

 spectable parts of the inferior creation, so it was 

 his interest, and his pleasure, to make himself ac- 

 quainted with their history. It is probable, there- 

 fore, that time, which enlarges the sphere of our 

 knowledge in other parts of learning, can add 

 but very little to this. The addition of a new 

 quadruped to the catalogue already known, is of 

 no small consequence, and happens but seldom ; 

 for the number of all is so few, that wherever a 

 new one is found, it becomes an object worthy 

 our best attention. It may take refuge in its na- 

 tive deserts from our pursuits, but not from our 

 curiosity. 



But it is very different with the inferior ranks 

 of the creation : the classes of birds, of fishes, 

 and of insects, are all much more numerous, and 

 more incompletely known. The quadruped is 

 possessed of no arts of escaping which we are not 

 able to overcome ; but the bird removes itself by 

 its swiftness, the fishes find protection in their 



58 



