402 ON THE 



many of which, were the horse to become ex- 

 tinct, would for ever be closed. 



This noble animal therefore has an irresistible 

 claim upon our protection and humanity ; and 

 consequently his exertions, so useful in all their 

 varied applications, should never be wantonly 

 abused, or ungratefully rewarded ; nor should 

 we forget that, without his aid, man would be 

 far more helpless than the animal, to whose la- 

 bours and toils, he is indebted for so many of 

 the blessings which he now enjoys. 



Having concluded my account of the Mammi- 

 ferous Quadrupeds, allow me again to call your 

 attention to the study of Natural History, in 

 which those animals hold so conspicuous a place. 



The eye is so uniformly familiarized with the 

 surround ing objects of nature, and' we intermix so 

 much oj ourselves in all our pursuits, that we too 

 readily lose sight of those sublimer subjects, from 

 the knowledge of which (to say nothing of their 

 practical usefulness) not only valuable lessons 

 are taught us, but also are to be derived some of 

 the highest gratifications of which the human 

 mind is susceptible. 



It is well known that the attributes of the 

 Deity, as exemplified in the works of the Crea- 

 tion, of the several parts of which Natural History 

 alone can make us acquainted ; have employed 

 the pens of the wisest and best of our Philoso- 

 phers ; of which, the works of Ray, Derham, and 



