178 INTRODUCTION. 



At a certain period of life, the reproductive powers of animals begin 

 to fail : this failure first takes place in the female ; as if, indeed, the 

 bearing, bringing forth, and rearing her progeny, according to the due 

 course of nature, had exhausted her animal energies, before the time when 

 those of the male decline. In general, however, the lower animals conti- 

 nue to be reproductive, up to a period nearer to the natural termination 

 of their existence than obtains in the human race ; but, nevertheless, as 

 age advances, the number of young at a birth (in such as produce 

 several) is diminished, nor are the young so strong and healthy. A Cat, 

 in the author's possession, had young in the fifteenth year of her age, 

 though labouring under a cancerous disease in one of the mammae, and 

 which, in a few months afterwards, terminated her existence. 



The suspension of the reproductive powers of the system betokens the 

 failure of the vital energies ; years, in the human species, may yet elapse 

 before the close of life ; but the free step, the firm limb, the clear eye, the 

 keen relish of the pleasures of existence, the hopes and joys of youth and 

 manhood, are fled. Weary with the toil and trials of the way, the aged 

 asks only for repose and tranquillity, ere he "go hence, and be seen no 

 more." 



That the death of the lower animals should speedily supervene on the 

 failure of their physical energies, is a wise dispensation. Man, in the 

 decline of his days, is consoled by the sympathy of those around him ; the 

 hands of friends and relatives minister to his wants, and he experiences 

 sources of comfort which are denied to the brute. But among the lower 

 animals there is no mutual sympathy ; the weak and the failing are deserted 

 by the strong and active ; unable to procure food, none supply their wants, 

 none regard them in their death. So sinks the Lion of the desert : age 

 has overtaken him ; his eye is dim, his force abated, he fails in his once 

 fatal spring : gaunt, and] lean, and feeble, he drags his weary limbs to the 

 old haunt, the haunt from which he once went forth in the pride of his 

 strength, when his voice scattered terror through the desert, there, at 

 length, to die. Better had he fallen by the hunter's javelin, " when his 

 limbs were strong, and his courage high," than thus drain to the dregs a 

 miserable existence. Merciful, then, is the law that subjects the brute 

 creation to accumulated chances of premature death ; and well is it for 

 them, that the term of natural existence is so seldom attained. The 

 scene of carnage, which the economy of nature presents, the warfare of 

 species with species, the never-ceasing destruction of life, are the antidotes 

 to misery and protracted suffering ; death comes unlooked-for, it is not 

 anticipated; up to the last moment the enjoyments of being are expe- 

 rienced, the allotted functions fulfilled, and every instinct obeyed ; death 

 comes unanticipated, its bitterness passes in a moment. 



