530 EDENTATA. 



have the head similarly formed, .and the tongue long and extensi- 

 ble ; but they are distinguished by having cheek-teeth and flat 

 nails. The structure of their teeth is different from that of all other 

 quadrupeds ; they are cylindrical in shape, and traversed with an 

 infinite number of little canals, like the pores of a cane. There is 

 but one species. 



The Ground Hog (Orycteropus Capensis) inhabits burrows, which 

 it digs with great facility. 



With the exception of the human race, and a few 

 domestic animals specially intrusted to the care of 

 man, no animal is permitted, in a state of nature, 

 to arrive at old age that is, such old age as permits 

 decline and feebleness to usurp the place of strengtli 

 and vigour. Man only, indeed, is capable of such a 

 privilege, inasmuch as he alone is possessed of that 

 foresight and intelligence which enables him, in the 

 days of his youth and activity, to provide for the 

 wants of his declining years, or trust to his social 

 position for assistance and support. 



Wherever else we look throughout the broad crea- 

 tion, violent death awaits alike all living things. 

 Do the feebler animals betray a lack of cunning or 

 a want of speed ? The destroyer is at hand ; the 

 executioner is at the door. Does the tyrant fail in 

 strength or courage . to pursue its prey ? The foe 

 awaits it, and its doom is fixed. No maudlin pity 

 interferes with this dread duty. 



Decay, disease, decline, decrepitude, are not allowed 

 to sully Nature's works, except where man, per- 

 mitted for a moment, interferes. The agents thus 

 employed to destroy and live upon the flesh of other 

 animals, are grouped together under the general 

 name of Carnivora or Flesh-eaters, and are the most 

 highly gifted and intelligent of the brute creation. 



