INTRODUCTION. 103 
cune autre espéce sauvage, par la conformation, et. 
par la facilité de s'apprivoiser.” 
In conclusion, we may assume, that man being 
created for higher purposes than a mere animal 
existence, subordinate creatures, so constituted as 
to be important elements of co-operation, were called 
into existence to further that design, and to facili- 
tate his intellectual advancement. Among others, 
that canines were endowed with faculties of a pecu- 
liar nature in aid of his exertions, and in compensa- 
tion for the physical inadequacy of his structure, to 
compete with the fiercer tenants of the world. How 
the brute creation was at first distributed, we never 
can ascertain ; but we may conjecture, judging from 
that balance which we may trace is kept up in 
organised matter, vegetable as well as animal, that 
all the classes and orders must have been co-existing 
from the beginning in such proportions, that none 
had so decided a preponderance in either kingdom 
of nature as to outweigh and destroy others, or even 
to exceed their useful quantity. And here again we 
find an exception ; for to man alone it was given, in 
proof of his higher destinies, to violate this law for 
his convenience ; to diminish, to exterminate whole 
species of animals, clear whole regions of forest, 
banish whole classes of plants, and supply their 
places by multiplying those creatures and that vege- 
tation necessary to his own comfort, and converting 
a wilderness into cultivated regions for his benefit, 
without disturbing the harmony of the creation ; 
unless in the duration of ages and in obedience to 
