CHAPTER X 



THE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE 

 WEAPONS OF ANIMALS 



NO matter how much we may depreciate or 

 repudiate the maxim that ' might is right/ 

 yet, notwithstanding, there can be no doubt that 

 the possession of fighting weapons, and the ability 

 to wield them, enables all living creatures, both 

 human and otherwise, to assert their rights in a 

 manner which, to say the least, commands respect ; 

 and, to quote the words of Lowell : 



Twun't du to think thet kittiri* ain't perlite, 

 You've gut to be in aimest, ef you fight. 



Although mankind has devised many instruments 

 for offensive and defensive purposes, yet without 

 them he is very badly provided with fighting wea- 

 pons in comparison to those which Nature has 

 bestowed upon the vast majority of the lower mem- 

 bers of creation. The teeth of human beings, for 

 instance, are not adapted for tearing and rending 

 asunder as are those of many other mammals ; 

 while the nails are but puny instruments when 



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