PART 11. 

 OF ANIMALS 



CHAP. I. 



A COMPAKISON OF ANIMALS WITH THE INFERIOR RANKS 

 OF CREATION. 



Having given an account of the earth in general, and the ad- 

 vantages and inconveniences with which it abounds, we now 

 come to consider it more minutely. Having described the habi- 

 tation, we are naturally led to inquire after the inhabitants. 

 Amidst the infinitely different productions which the earth 

 offers, and with which it is every where covered, animals hold 

 the first rank ; as well because of the finer formation of tiicir 

 oai-ts, as of their superior power. The vegetable, which is fixed 

 to one spot, and obliged to wait for its accidental supplies of 

 nourishment, may be considered as the prisoner of nature. 

 Unable to correct the disadvantages of its situation, or to shield 

 itself from the dangers that surround it, every object that has 

 motion may be its destroyer. 



But animals are endowed with powers of motion and defence. 

 The greatest part are capable, by changing place, of command- 

 ing nature ; and of thus obliging her to furnish that nourish, 

 ment which is most agreeable to their state. Those few that are 

 fixed to one spot, even in this seemingly helpless situation, are, 

 nevertheless, protected from external injury by a hard shelly 

 covering; which they often can close at pleasure, and thus de- 

 fend themselves from every assault. And here, I think, we 

 may draw the line between the animal and vegetable kingdoms. 

 Every animal, by some means or other, finds protection from 

 injury ; either from its force or courage, its swiftness or cun- 

 ning. Some are protected by hiding in convenient places ; and 



