110 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



concerning serpents, that, whilst only a few spe- 

 cies possess the venomous property, that property 

 auards the whole tribe. The most innocuous 

 snake is avoided with as much care as a viper. 

 Now the terror with which large animals regard 

 this class of reptiles is its protection ; and this ter- 

 ror is founded on the formidable revenge, which 

 a few of the number, compared with the whole, 

 are capable of taking. The species of serpents, 

 described by Linnaeus, amount to two hundred 

 and eighteen, of which thirty-two only are poi- 

 sonous. 



4. It seems to me, that animal constitutions are 

 provided, not only for each element, but for each 

 state of the elements, i. e. for every climate, and 

 for every temperature : and that part of the mischief 

 complained of arises from animals (the human ani- 

 mal most especially) occupying situations upon 

 the earth which do not belong to them, nor were 

 ever intended for their habitation. The folly and 

 wickedness of mankind, and necessities proceed- 

 ing from these causes, have driven multitudes of 

 the species to seek a refuge amongst burning sands, 

 whilst countries blessed with hospitable skies, and 

 with the most fertile soils, remain almost without 

 a human tenant. We invade the territories ot 

 wild beasts and venomous reptiles, and then com- 

 plain that we are infested by their bites and stings. 

 Some accounts of Africa place this observation 

 in a strong point of view. " The deserts," says 

 Adamson, " are entirely barren, except where 



