4'6 THE FUNCTIONS OF LIFE. 



filled the air with noxious exhalations and con- 

 taminated the sources of vitality.* 



This new law of animal existence must neces- 

 sarily introduce new conditions of organization 

 and of functions. Structures adapted to rapid 

 locomotion must be supplied for the pursuit of 

 prey, and powerful weapons for attack and des- 

 truction. But nature has not left the weaker 

 animals unprovided with the means of repulse, 

 of defence, or of escape. For these purposes 

 various expedients, either of force, of swiftness, 

 or of stratagem, have been resorted to in different 

 cases. 



That a large portion of evil is the direct con- 

 sequence of this system of extensive warfare, it is 

 in vain to deny. But although our sensibility 

 may revolt at the wide scene of carnage which 

 is so generally presented to our view, our more 

 sober judgment should place in the other scale 

 the great preponderating amount of gratification 

 which is also its result. We must take into 

 account the vast accession that accrues to the 

 mass of animal enjoyment from the exercise of 

 those powers and faculties w hich are called forth 

 by this state of constant activity ; and when this 



* As specially appointed for the performance of this useful 

 task may be cited, among the larger beasts of prey, the hysena, 

 the jackall, the crow, and the vulture : among marine animals, 

 the Crustacea, and numerous mollusca ; and among the lower 

 orders innumerable tribes of insects, such as ants, flesh flies, &c. 



