THE FUNCTIONS OF LIFE. 39 



with the means of repulse, of defence, or of escape ; 

 and for these purposes various expedients, either 

 of force, of swiftness, or of stratagem, have been 

 resorted to in different cases. 



That a large portion of evil is the direct con- 

 sequence of this system of extensive warfare, it is 

 in vain to deny. But although our sensibility may 

 revolt at the wide scene of carnage which is so 

 generally presented to our view, our more sober 

 judgment should place in the other scale the great 

 preponderating amount of gratification which is 

 also its result. We must take into account the vast 

 accession that accrues to the mass of animal enjoy 

 ment from the exercise of those powers and facul- 

 ties which are called forth by this state of constant 

 activity ; and when this consideration is combined, 

 as it ought to be, with that of the immense multi- 

 plication of life which is admissible upon this system 

 alone, we shall find ample reason for acknowledg- 

 ing the wisdom and the benevolent intentions of 

 the Creator, who, for the sake of a vastly superior 

 good, has permitted the existence of a minor evil. 



From this system of hostilities there must also 

 arise new relations among the different races of 

 animals. It affords a ready and effectual means 

 of preserving the proper balance between different 

 races. Each separate species of animals, far from 

 being isolated and independent, performs the part 

 assigned to it in the system of nature, and, how- 

 ever apparently insignificant, may have a sensible 

 influence on the rest of the animal creation. Man, 

 above all other animals, has effected a most im- 

 portant change in the condition of a multitude of 

 other races, in every region where his numbers 



