MAMMIFEROUS ANIMALS. 323 



a few fanciful philosophers ; while, in the 

 estimation of the best informed natviralists, he 

 holds a distinct and separate place ; at once the 

 arbiter of the surrounding objects, and the no 

 mean conterpart of the divine architect, at whose 

 mandate, man, and all living things, were first 

 called into existence. 



With reference to the usefulness of the various 

 animal* belonging to the Ape genus, it is not to 

 be expected, under our present short-sighted- 

 ness, that we should be able to ascertain the po- 

 sitive object of each part of the creation ; nor 

 to determine at all times, how far an obvious evil 

 has been compensated by a corresponding good, 

 It is sufficient that our general experience has 

 taught us, that nothing has been created in vain, 

 and that in few instances has a great inconve- 

 nience been produced without having some useful 

 tendency in view. 



This observation has been fully corroborated 

 in the habits of the animals, to which we have 

 alluded ; whose well known disposition to 

 destroy by waste and otherwise, the produce 

 of the countries which they inhabit, is more 

 than counterbalanced by the distribution in 

 every direction, and by burying in hoards, at 

 distant points, the seeds of the fruit and vegeta- 

 bles which they consume ; thus becoming event- 

 ually, and comprehensively, the cultivatiors of 

 the soil to the productions of which they appear 



Y2 



