OF NATURAL HISTORY. 395 



fary that one animal could not live without the deftru6lion 

 of another ? To fuch queftions no anfwer can be either giv- 

 en or expecSled. No being, except the Supreme, can unfold 

 this myftery. Perhaps it even exceeds the limits of poflibil- 

 ity to eftabliHi fuch an extended fyftem of animation upon 

 any other foundation.- From the general benevolence of the 

 great Creator, we are warranted to conclude that this is real- 

 ly the cafe. But it is fruitlefs to dwell upon fubjedls which, 

 are infcrutable, and far removed beyond the powers of hu- 

 man intelle6l. We fhall therefore defcend, and endeavour 

 to point out fome advantages w^hich refult from this myfte- 

 rious inftitution of Nature. 



On this branch of the fubject, the reader will eafily per* 

 ceive that much order or conne<5l:ion is not to be expected. 



The hoftilities of animals, mankind not excepted, give rife 

 to mutual improvement. Animals improve, and difcover a 

 fuperiority of parts, in proportion to the number of enemies 

 they have to attack or evade. The weak, and confequently 

 timid, are obliged to exert their utmoft powers in inventing 

 and praflifing every poflible mode of efcape. Pure inflin£l 

 powerfully prompts ; but much is learned by experience and 

 obfervation. Rapacious animals, on the contrary, by fre- 

 quent difappointment, are obliged to provide againft the 

 cunning and alertnefs of their prey. Herbivorous animals, 

 as they have little difficulty in procuring food, are propor- 

 tionally ftupld *, but they would be ftill more ftupid, if they 

 had no enemies to annoy them. Man, if his attention and 

 talents were not excited by the animofities of his own fpe- 

 cies, by the attacks of ferocious animals, and even by thofe 

 of the infedl tribes, would be an indolent, an incurious, a dir- 

 ty, and an ignorant animal. Thofe of the human race, ac- 

 ^cordingly, who procure their food with little or no induftry, 

 as we learn from a multitude of travellers and voyagers, are 

 perfe(ftly indolent and brutifhly flupid. Timid animals nev- 



