FOES. 87 



determine all the organical and instinctive arrangements 

 wliich are suited to its conditions. 



VI. Foes. 



The restraints imposed on particular kinds of animals by 

 the presence of the rapacious tribes, serve to diminish the 

 number of individuals, but do not appear to exercise a very 

 powerful influence on the geographical distribution of the 

 species. When a rapacious animal has committed great 

 ravages in a particular district, a scarcity of food compels 

 it to emigrate, and leave the defenceless kind to multiply 

 in its absence. It is otherwise, hoAvever, with animals in 

 the progress of extending the geographical limits of their 

 distribution. They are exposed to a variety of dangers, 

 against which, the organical arrangement of their constitu- 

 tion cannot guard them, and to many foes from which their 

 instincts cannot point out the means of escape. 



The restraints, however, imposed on the distribution of 

 animals, by the efforts of the rapacious kinds, bear no com- 

 parison to the influence exercised over them by man. Against 

 many species, hostile to his interests, he carries on a war of 

 extermination. Others he pursues for pleasure, or for the 

 necessaries or luxuries of life which they yield. In these 

 conquests, the superiority of his mental powers is conspicu- 

 ously displayed, and his claim to dominion established. 

 Unable to contend with many species in physical strength, 

 he has devised the pit- fall and the snare, — the lance, the 

 arrow, and fire-arms. Aided by these, every animal on 

 the globe must yield to his attempts to capture. The lion, 

 the elephant, and the whale, fall the victims of his skill, as 

 well as the mouse or the sparrow. Since the use of gun- 

 powder, indeed, the contest is so unequal, that it is in the 

 power of man to controul the limits of almost every species 

 whose stations are accessible. 



