LECTURE Vir. 3»1 



viduals which compose it ; yet these indi- 

 viduals are often supported at the expence 

 or by the destruction of others. The less 

 powerful animals herd together, and set 

 watches to warn them of approaching dan- 

 ger ; as they are exposed to invasion, and 

 the destruction of their companions by the 

 solitary and fierce tyrants of the forest 

 that issue from their secret dens. Nature 

 has however made the animals that are 

 liable to destruction exceedingly prolific, 

 so that their race cannot well be exter- 

 minated ; whilst she has made destructive 

 animals in general unproductive ; and when 

 it happens otherwise, we find means which 

 counteract their excessive multiplication. 

 Why Nature has formed carnivorous ani- 

 mals, or produced such a variety of living 

 beings, is a problem difficult to explain. 

 Yet, this being a part of her plan, we can- 

 not but admire the means by which it is 

 accomplished ; for every thing contributes 

 to promote the welfare of the individuals 

 in their proper sphere, and to ensure the 

 continuance of their kind according to its 

 destined proportion, so that centuries elapse 



